TTP 53 by Turkish Exporters Assembly

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TH YEAR

BRIEFING Export Week 2017: Breakthrough Year of Exports IN DEPTH The Country of Northern Lights: Finland BRANDS Beyoğlu Gazozu: Taste From The Past

DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

ECONOMY BUSINESS FOREIGN TRADE ANALYSIS

F O O R P K RIS RY

T S U D IN

Meeting and exceeding international quality and safety standards, today’s Turkish automotive industry is highly efficient and competitive thanks to value-added production.

The Turkish Perspective

Contents 05 FIRST 05 | Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway To Stimulate Economic Growth 06 | Turkey-made invisible fabric to sell to NATO countries 08 | Turkey Opens Largest Defense Training Facility in Qatar 09 | Ankara, Moscow sign tourism cooperation protocol 11 | First Domestically-Produced Car of Turkey

13 BRIEFING 13 |Turkey’s First And Only

36 COVER

F O O R P RISK RY

T S U D IN

The positive development of the Turkish automotive industry started in the 1950’s with the approach to counterweigh the large import volumes. By the late 1960’s, the industry gained momentum when the first joint ventures with foreign car manufacturers were established.

Antivirus Technology

50 | THE COUNTRY OF NORTHERN LIGHTS, MOTHERLAND OF THE SUOMI PEOPLE

57 BRANDS

16 |ınvest ın ıstanbul

50 INDEPTH

Turkey and Finland made their relationship stronger than ever by further enhancing their bilateral agreements and subsequent visits.

CHOMAR Antivirus, which is supported by TİM-TEB StartUp Business House, is on its way to becoming a world brand.

Invest in Istanbul’s specific goal is to consolidate the investment support and promotion services in Istanbul.

57 | Beyoğlu Gazozu: Taste From The Past 22 |“BREAKTHROUGH YEAR OF

EXPORTS”

“Turkish Export Week” provided an excellent opportunity to exporters to reach extensive knowledge about the export and finds solutions to their problems.

26 | “TURKEY’S BRAND” IN DESIGN

Design Week Turkey created awareness throughout the country about the “design” and brought design to the whole industry and contribute to the economy.

28 | Turkey: ‘LAND OF CERAMICS’

Ceramic industry continues to grow with certain steps in last years and contribute to Turkey’s export with its great performance.

30 | World’s Top Golfers Meet At Turkish Airlines Open 2017

Turkish Airlines, flying to more countries than any other airline in the world, continues to fulfill its commitment to the global sports events and organizations.

“Beyoğlu Gazozu” bottle has received the Red Dot Award, considered one of the most prestigious design awards in the world.

62 AGENDA FAIRS, EXHIBITIONS, SUMMITS, MEETINGS IN THE NEXT MONTH

63 FIGURES THE BASIC INDICATORS OF TURKEY IN THE December 2017

2 Online

Online

MANAGEMENT

theturkishperspective.com

Publisher on Behalf of Turkish Exporters Assembly/ CHAIRMAN of The Turkish Exporters Assembly

MEHMET BÜYÜKEKŞİ Strategıc Partner Presıdent of Prıme Mınıstry Investment support and promotıon Agency

Arda Ermut

The Turkish Perspective Digital

The Turkish Perspective website is to be launched soon. A new medium to learn, analyze and monitor everything about Turkish economy and business, is born. The Turkish Perspective Digital will share the latest news, interviews with decision makers, provide in-depth analyzes and will be the foreigner’s guide in Turkey regarding regulations and legislations.

Manager In Charge H. BADER ARSlan PhD

PUBLICATION BOARD M. İlker aycı Hc. DR. MUSTAFA ÇIKRIKÇIOĞLU BİLAL EKŞİ SÜLEYMAN KOCASERT BÜLENT AYMEN ZEKERİYA METE Furkan Karayaka

PUBLICATION MANAGEMENT President Mehmet Mücahİd Demİr

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RAMAZAN GÜZYURDU

Business Culture t Investmen ce S and cien Innovation ay D e th Video of News keting d B r a n Ma r

european COORDINATOR İnanç atılgan contrıbutıng reporters İLHAN ALPAY OGAN ALPEREN ÇEVİKASLAN design CREATIVE DIRECTOR AHMET SAİD ÇELİK acelik@theturkishperspective.com

GRAPHIC DESIGNER UMUT DURUTUNA 7

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BRIEFING Strong Growth In National Defense Industry

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JULY 2017 ISSUE 48

AuGuST 2017 ISSuE 49

ECONOMY BUSINESS FOREIGN TRADE ANALYSIS

a New Form of Revolution

BRIEFING Turkey the Champion of Diplomacy Traffic

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IN dEPTh A New Era For Investors: Super Incentive System

TH YEAR

IN dEPTh All For A Smile

ECONOMy BuSINESS FOREIGN TRAdE ANAlySIS

BRANdS The Largest Simulator Training Center of Europe and Middle East

SEPTEMBER 2017 ISSuE 50

ECONOMy BuSINESS FOREIGN TRAdE ANAlySIS

TURKEY FORENERGY:

Explore the achievements of Turkey’s service sector explained by the skilledworkforce, cost effective service compared to international standards.

AN AMBITIOUS CANDIDATE Turkey is a vulnerable actor when it comes to energy supply.

EX ORIENTE LUX *

Turkey,

a key NATO member, has always held an important position in global affairs. Turkey has become a more prominent player on the world stage as both an economic force and a power in the last decade.

* The sun rises from the east.

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BRIEFING Art, Stories, Istanbul… Contemporary Istanbul

ECONOMY BUSINESS FOREIGN TRADE ANALYSIS

#co me tot u

West: “Startup İstanbul”

ECONOMY BUSINESS FOREIGN TRADE ANALYSIS

TH YEAR

BRIEFING Export Week 2017: Breakthrough Year of Exports IN DEPTH The Country of Northern Lights: Finland BRANDS Beyoğlu Gazozu: Taste From The Past

DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

ECONOMY BUSINESS FOREIGN TRADE ANALYSIS

LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF

INVESTMENTS IN

#cometoturkey

O RISK PSROTRY U D N I MEETING AND EXCEEDING INTERNATIONAL QUALITY AND SAFETY STANDARDS, TODAY’S TURKISH AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY IS HIGHLY EFFICIENT AND COMPETITIVE THANKS TO VALUE-ADDED PRODUCTION.

TURKEY RISES THE HOPES OF THE REGION AND SHAPES A CONCEPT THE SOCIETY INTERNALIZES MORE AND MORE DAY BY DAY.

etoturkey om #c

key tur eto om #c

DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

BRANDS Pharmactive: Begun to Export to European Countries

NOVEMBER 2017 ISSUE 52

ey rk

#c om et

key ur ot

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BRIEFING Connecting East And

IN DEPTH Brand Country in Sport Organizations: Turkey

IN DEPTH The Rise of the Heritage BRANDS Innovative Brand In The Sector: Seramiksan

OCTOBER 2017 ISSUE 51

7YEAR TH

RECENT CHANGES

JR. GRAPHIC DESIGNER ÖZCAN AYHAN

BRIEFING National Era In File Transfer: Filegoes

BRANdS Assan Foods: Grow In Industry Scale Continuously

IN DEPTH Top 500 Industrial Enterprises BRANDS Ganjan New Town

More than a magazine, the Turkish Perspective will now be more interactive and responsive, as expected from Turkey’s main voice for international audience.

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contact T. + 90 212 216 19 48 info@medyatr.com.tr www.medyatr.com.tr Neither text nor photographs from this publication may be reproduced in full or part without acknowledging the source and securing prior permission from the publisher.

The Turkish Perspective

Editorial MEHMET BÜYÜKEKŞİ PRESIDENT (TIM)

Marching towards a Powerful and Dynamic Economy

As Turkish Exporters’ Assembly, our main target is to increase our export performance exponentially and sustainably.

y achieving this, we aim to increase our share in the world trade to 1.5% and become one of the world’s top ten economies by 2023, the 100th anniversary of the foundation of Turkish Republic. According to the latest TURKSTAT data, R&D spending have increased by nearly 20% to 24.6 billion TL in 2016, and gross domestic expenditure on research and development’s (GERD) share in GDP was 0.94%. GERD’s share was 0.88% in 2015. In addition to this, high-tech product exports increased by 23.8% in the first 9 months of 2017, compared to the same period last year. Moreover, in the 2017-2018 Global Competitiveness Report released by the World Economic Forum last month, Turkey has risen by two ranks to 53rd place. We believe that, innovation and R&D are the concepts that must be followed with patience in order to achieve long-term goals. Although we are pleased with Turkey’s recent achievements, we believe that we can and we should move further. At this point, we also have an important duty in achieving this goal. We have to create a Turkey that allocates 3% of its national income to R&D, has embraced innovation, created a hightech intensive industry with a focus on areas that make a difference. In order to achieve that, we must increase our number of patents, brands and designs,

and more importantly we should be able to commercialize them. With these ideals, we organize almost 20 events every year. “Turkey Design Week”, which we organized on 8-12 November, is one of these events which contributes to the development of design culture in Turkey, and I wish to invite all our readers to this large scale event, where innovation and entrepreneurship will be discussed entirely. “Turkey Design Week” carries an important role as it is one of the most important design event of Turkey which is also recognized in the international

level. With this event, we brought together all the stakeholders of design industry; designers, architects, exporters, academicians, SMEs, artisans, university design schools, NGOs and media representatives and many more. Another large-scale event of Turkish Exporters’ Assembly will begin on 6th December. With the coordination of the Ministry of Economy, “6th Turkey Innovation and Entrepreneurship Week” will be held on 6-9 December with an extra dimension, entrepreneurship this year. In this new dimension, we included “BORN GLOBAL” within the event with the purpose of making Turkey and international center of entrepreneurship and a birthplace for global companies. In addition, we included lots of different seminars on several subjects, workshops, panels, InovaTİM activities as well as participants from incubation centers, universities, techno parks, tech companies, entrepreneurship networks, investors and funding organizations. At the same time, we are planning B2B activities with a focus of entrepreneurship and investment with the participation of stakeholders of this ecosystem. To sum up, as Turkish Exporters’ Assembly, we announce that will continue our march until we bring Turkey and Turkish economy to the highest possible levels, while adding new events to serve this purpose every year.

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The Turkish Perspective Content: Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway P05 Balanced Trade With Malaysia P06 Butter Shortage in Europe Boosts Turkey’s Export P07 Strong Economic Partnership P08 Ankara, Moscow Sign Tourism Cooperation Protocol P09 Saudis to Buy Turkish Made UAVs P10 First Domestically-Produced Car of Turkey P11 Editor: Ramazan Güzyurdu

First

ECONOMY, TRADE, TOURISM, EXPORT, BUSINESS, TECH, DEFENSE, AUTOMOTIVE, ENERGY...

BTK railway line constitutes the most important part of the Middle Corridor project.

ECONOMY

Baku-Tbilisi-Kars Railway:

to stimulate economic growtH

The Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) Railway, a key link in the modern Silk Road Railway that aspires to carry goods between China and Europe, opened with the attendances of the leaders.

he line was inaugurated with a grand ceremony attended by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Azerbaijani President İlham Aliyev, Georgian Prime Minister Giorgi Kvirikashvili, Kazakh Prime Minister Bakhytzhan Sagintayev and Uzbek

Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Erdoğan stressed the BTK line’s importance for the region and other neighboring countries. He said in addition to yielding economic benefits for Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia

and other countries in the region, the railway will also ensure peace, security, stability, and prosperity, boosting overall human development. He said that the project marks a very important milestone in regional cooperation and its future.

“We are taking a very important step for our future,” Erdoğan said, and added that the benefits of the project will be felt long into the coming future. “We are witnessing the operationalization of an important chain in the New Silk Road, which aims to

connect Asia, Africa, and Europe. The BTK railway line constitutes the most important part of the Middle Corridor project. Now, direct railway connection from Beijing to London has been established,” President Erdoğan said.

First

economy

tourısm

New companies rise 30pct in Turkey Nearly 7,000 new business launched in October according to TOBB data.

TRADE

balanced trade with Malaysia Several key industries have been identified to boost Turkish exports to Malaysia, says outgoing Turkish envoy. Turkey has identified several sectors for boosting exports to Malaysia and striking a trade balance, according to its outgoing ambassador to the Southeast Asian nation. Basak Turkoglu said steps are being taken to address the gap in export value, which has been to Malaysia’s advantage. Speaking to the Malaysian national news agency in an interview, Turkoglu said Turkey has identified the defense industry, education, technology, food industry, and electrical appliances sectors as potential boosters of Turkish exports. “Better collaboration in these areas would ensure a rise in Turkish exports to Malaysia. DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

urkey saw an annual rise of 30.3 percent in its number of

newly established companies in September, the Turkish Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges (TOBB) revealed on Nov. 17. The organization said almost 6,930 companies were established in the month, up from 5,314 in October last year. The number of companies which went out of business was also up 30.3 percent year-on-year to stand at 1,281 in October. In the first 10 months of the year, 60,063 new companies started doing business in Turkey, an annual increase of almost 13 percent, according to the TOBB. The number of foreign-partnered or foreign-funded new companies reached 5,219 in the same period.

economy

Turkey-made invisible fabric to sell to NATO countries A Turkey-made invisible fabric that cannot be spotted by radars and thermal cameras will soon be sold to NATO countries.

he fabric, developed at the Sun Textile and Research Development Center, succeeded tests by the Turkish Armed Forces, and is now awaiting approval from Turkey’s Defense Ministry for export. Sabri Ünlütürk, chairman of the executive board of Sun Holding, told that the

fabric was invented by two scientists at Teknokent of Hacettepe University in Ankara. “We are proud that the Turkish army is using this fabric. The previous products were only for visual camouflage,” Ünlütürk said. The tests for the camouflage uniforms are currently underway.

6.5M people

on social media

With more than 6.5 mln followers on social media, “Turkey Home” has become the fourth largest campaign in the world. As the world’s tourism sector rapidly shifts its promotional activities to digital channels, the Ministry of Culture and Tourism has quickly caught up with this trend. Turkey Home was initiated nearly three years ago by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. Today, the campaign ranks fourth among global tourism promotion organizations with its ever increasing number of social media followers. Turkey has 4.87 million followers on Facebook, 767,000 on Twitter, 481,000 on Google, 361,000 on Instagram, 32,000 on YouTube, 6,280 on Pinterest and 14,000 on LinkedIn.

The Turkish Perspective

busıness

EXPORT

Butter Shortage in Europe Boosts Turkey’s Export Turkish butter export surges $5.4 million in first ten months of current year, up 344 percent.

economy

Turkey looks to enhance ties with D-8 economic group Turkish Science, Industry and Technology Minister Özlü says his country wants to increase trade volume with Nigeria. It is vital for Turkey to enhance ties with the D-8 economic group and Nigeria, according to Turkish Science, Industry and Technology Minister Faruk Özlü. “Turkey and Nigeria have great potential. We should work in detail for advancing trade volume,” Özlü told in capital Abuja. The minister said bilateral trade exceeded $820 million in the first nine months of the year. According to Turkish Statistical Institute, Turkey’s exports to Nigeria stood at $241.6 million while its import from the country was nearly $158 million in 2016.

urkey’s butter export has increased 344 percent in the

first ten months of the current year after a major butter crisis in Europe, where prices are on the rise while stockpiles are running low. According to the data from the Aegean Exporters’ Association figures, the country’s butter export hit $5.4 million in JanuaryOctober compared to the same period of 2016 which was $1.2 million. Russia ranked first Turkish butter importer, up to almost $2 million from only $20,000. Russia is followed by Iraq with $ 1.3 million and Qatar with $529,000, according to the data. Burhan Sakkaoglu, general secretary of the Packaged Milk and Milk Products Industrialists Association (ASUD), said the demand for the Turkish butter increased after the butter shortage crisis in Europe. “Countries that previously imported butter from the EU countries have turned towards Turkey because of the crisis there,” he said. According to official figures released by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, butter prices in June surged 14 percent to hit all-time highs in Europe.

344% 14% ıncreasE ın Turkey’s butter export accordıng to fırst ten months of the last year

Increasıng ın butter prıce ın all europe as of june 2017

5.40

MILLION

turkey’s butter export ın january-october perıod ın 2017

become approval center for world halal market With its newly established halal accreditation body, which will issue visas for the global halal market, Turkey is set to become a rule-making authority. Turkey is set to become the approval center for the world halal market, as paths of all institutions issuing halal certificates will meet in the newly established the Halal Accreditation Authority (HAK). The visa of the halal market, which exceeds $3 trillion in size worldwide and grows at an average of 10 percent per year, will be issued in Turkey. The HAK will approve halal documents that are issued by more than 1,000 institutions in over 100 countries but leads to controversy due to the lack of common criteria.

First

tech

Turkey, Japan to ink cooperation deal on 5G technology Turkey and Japan will sign a cooperation agreement on 5G technology during a forum in South Korea. BTK chief Ömer Fatih Sayan said that through the deal with Japan and other international cooperation, they hope to develop international ties using Turkish 5G cooperation and beyond. Sayan stressed that Japan and Korea are leading countries in 5G technology, which allows faster mobile use of the Internet. Turkey signed memorandums of understanding for cooperation on 5G with Japan and Korea in 2015 and 2016, he said. Saying that they will go on to empower prominent national and international 5G platforms and worldwide cooperation, Sayan predicted that Turkey will be one of the leading countries with 5G. Sayan said their aim is not only 5G, but 5G and beyond technologies. Turkey is currently using 4.5G tech, also known as LTE, in its mobile devices. DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

automotıve

DEFENsE

Turkey Opens Largest Defense Training Facility in Qatar Turkish National Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli inaugurates AW 139 Helicopter Simulation Flight Training Facility.

strong economic partnership Turkey and South Korea are eager to transform their long-lasting brotherhood into a strong economic partnership.

urkish National Defense Minister Nurettin Canikli and Qatari Minister of State for Defense Khalid bin Mohammad al-Attiyah attended the inauguration ceremony of the AW 139 Helicopter Simulation Flight Training Facility. During the ceremony, Canikli gave a presentation on the facility built by the Turkish state-run air defense and military software company HAVELSAN. “Our ties in the field of defense will improve and the new training facility is in accordance with our objectives,” Canikli said. He added that countries which ignore their defense sectors have difficulty in surviving in the long-term. Canikli said that Turkey had advanced in defense sector, especially the drone technology. “Turkey has caught up with the world especially in the Unmanned Aerial Vehicles field,” he said. Qatari officials said that the simulator HAVELSAN presented has been the best they have ever used.

55 pılots

operating in Qatari Air Forces

40 $0

engıneers servıng for three years on the project

$39 Million

total project costs

Consul General of the Republic of Korea to Istanbul Cha Young Cheol said it is very important for both the Republic of Korea and Turkey to turn brotherhood felt by both sides into a strong economic partnership, at the presentation of the “DEİK South Korea Country Report” prepared by the Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) TurkeySouth Korea Business Council. Seen as a road map as to how the longlasting economic relationship between the two countries could be improved in the upcoming period, the report analyzed the current potential in exports and investments.

The Turkish Perspective

energy

busıness

Ankara, Moscow sign tourism cooperation protocol

to invest 141B euros in energy by

2025

Turkey is projected to top among Southeastern European countries in terms of energy investments with 141.6 billion euros invested by 2025. Turkey is projected to invest some 141.6 billion euros in the sector, which places the country at the top among Southeastern European countries, according to an energy organization report An energy outlook report released by the Greece-based Institute of Energy for South East Europe (IENE) says that Turkey is the leader in the region in terms of energy investment and demand. The report also foresees that 141.6 billion euros will be invested in the country’s energy sector until 2025.

tourısm

Turkey and Russia signed a cooperation protocol in tourism sector.

Sabiha Gökçen to See 20 pct Increase in Traffic in 2019 Due to an increase in demand, works at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gökçen International Airport continue at full speed, said Sabiha Gökçen Airport Senior Manager Ersel Göral.

he construction of

a new terminal will also start within the scope of capacity increasing the works, Görel said, underscoring that with the completion of the ongoing runways, traffic at the airport would increase by at least 20 percent in 2019. Paying a visit to Istanbul Airports Correspondents’ Association, Göral said they are experiencing capacity problems due to air traffic increasing into double digits and this problem will be solved by opening the second runway. Pointing out that with the resolution of the issue, Sabiha Gökçen Airport will become an area of preference, Göral said they will increase traffic in the airport by at least 20 percent in 2019 compared to the current figures.

Göral also announced that Emirates will start daily flights to Sabiha Gökçen in the upcoming summer season, informing that with the new airport, new airline companies will also fly from Sabiha Gökçen Airport. Turkish Airlines (THY) will also increase air traffic, Göral said, indicating that they are preparing for future requests. Göral added that the current capacity of 40 aircrafts per hour on one runway will reach 80 with the second runway, while the capacity of 33 million passengers per year will reach 41 million by the middle of next year. “It is not clear yet, but we will demolish the old terminal. We will use the new building for domestic passengers. We will use the current one as an international terminal,” he added.

The 11th Working Group Meeting held annually between Turkey and Russia took place at the Cornelia Diamond Golf Resort & Spa Hotel in Belek Tourism Center. Various issues, such as the evaluation of the tourism season, the increase in tourist flow between the two countries, tourist security and better service to tourists, were discussed during the meeting. Following the meeting, a cooperation protocol was signed in the field of tourism between Ömer Arısoy, undersecretary of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and Oleg Safonov, the head of the Russian Federal Agency for Tourism (Rosturizm). Stressing that he believes they will reach a better level in the coming years compared to the previous years, Ömer Arısoy said, “We did not only discuss the tourist inflow from Russia to our country, but also the preparations for tourist outflow to Russia from our country.”

First

defense

Saudis to Buy Turkish Made UAVs busıness

Saudi Arabia is reportedly interested in acquiring six ANKA unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) developed by the Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) and two ground control stations, a report by Defense News.

turkey’s Rize-Artvin Airport being built at record depth Turkey’s RizeArtvin Airport, the world’s third to be constructed on reclaimed land, will be 8 to 10 meters deeper, marking a new record. While conducting on-site examinations at the airport construction site where efforts are ongoing, Minister Arslan said the airport is one of the most important projects in Turkey, adding that the construction of a 390-meter mole is temporarily complete, and it should be removed after the project is over. Stressing that the airport being built will be a conventional one, Arslan said that the airport will have the capacity to hold three wide aircraft and one narrow-body aircraft on a 3,000-meter-long and 45-meter-wide runway. DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

ccording to the report, Görkem Bilgi, manager of the corporate marketing and communications department at TAI, said talks with Saudi Arabia have been ongoing since 2013 but no official contract has been signed, yet. Bilgi said Saudis had some requirements regarding the reconnaissance issues and that the negotiations for this part of the agreement were in progress. He added that technology transfer was also discussed within the scope of the agreement. The report also said another source close to the deal said low oil prices led to Saudis demand in a reduction of the aircraft’s costs. On the other hand, Bilgi reportedly stressed the openness of the company on the issue. The first domestically-made drone design, ANKA, is currently used by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), while another 10 unmanned aerial vehicles are expected to be delivered in 2018, the report said. ANKA, an advanced Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) class unmanned aerial vehicle system, can function in day and night for all-weather reconnaissance, target detection and identification and intelligence missions with its EO/IR and SAR payloads, featuring autonomous flight capability, including automatic takeoff and landing. It incorporates a heavy-fuel engine and electro-expulsive ice protection system with an advanced ground control station and dual datalink allowing operational security and ease. The system is expandable with a transportable image exploitation station, radio relay, remote video terminal and Satcom. TAI is the largest defense and aviation industry exporter in the country for the sixth time in a row, according to Turkish Exporters Assembly’s (TİM) evaluations for the year 2016.

economy

Turkey’s crude steel output up 13.5 pct in Jan-Sept 2017 Turkey produced 27.7M tons of crude steel in Jan-Sept, up from 24.3M in 2016, says country’s steel producers association. According to data from the group, Turkey maintained its position as the world’s eighth-largest crude steel producer, accounting for over 2.1 percent of global crude steel output. Turkey’s steel exports also surged 8.3 percent annually to reach 13.5 million tons in the first three quarters of 2017. The value of steel exports surged 21.8 percent to $9.6 billion in the period. During the same period, Turkey’s steel imports fell 14.6 percent to 11.9 million tons yearly, while the value of these imports rose 4.5 percent to $8.8 billion. Global crude steel production climbed 5.6 percent in the first nine months of the year compared to the same period in 2016, reaching 1.26 billion tons.

The Turkish Perspective

economy

First DomesticallyProduced Car of Turkey Erdoğan says prototype of first car likely to be ready in 2019, sales to begin in 2021.

research in 2016

The country’s gross domestic expenditure on research and development (GERD) was 20.6 billion Turkish liras ($7.6 billion) in the previous year. According to the Turkish Central Bank, the average U.S. dollar/ Turkish lira rate was 3.02 on average last year, compared with 2.71 liras per dollar in 2015. TurkStat noted that financial and nonfinancial corporations was in the first rank among research and development financiers by 46.7 percent in 2016.

Altay domestic tank development program receives bids Two Turkish defense firms, FNSS Defense Systems and Otokar, submitted their proposals for mass production of the tank.

$8B on

Turkey’s aggregate research and development expenditures in 2016 climbed 19.5 percent to reach 24.6 billion Turkish liras ($8.15 billion) according to TurkStat.

defense

e expect the automobile prototype to be ready in 2019, and for sales to begin in 2021. We do not want the slightest delay, and if necessary, a special team from the presidency will be assigned the duty of following this project. We must support those undertaking this project,” Erdoğan said at the Presidential Palace complex in Ankara. The president announced that five firms - Anadolu Group (Isuzu), BMC, Kıraça Holding (Karsan Automotive) Turkcell and Zorlu Holding (Vestel) formed the Joint Venture Group. “On the condition that I pay for it, I would like to say that from now that I will make the purchase of the first automobile put on the market. I have no doubts that the automobile that will be produced will be suitable for the needs of the future,” Erdoğan said. The firms will operate under the coordination of the Union

of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB). “It’s not just about making the parts of the car, it’s also about the software that we develop. The direction in which the economy and technology is going is certain. We have to adjust ourselves accordingly. We missed the previous opportunities because we struggled with our own internal affairs, it was difficult for entrepreneurs to engage in business,” he added. “They may also lean toward producing hybrid and electric vehicles. Regardless of their decision, we will provide all kinds of support so long as they enable the Turkish nation to realize its dream. We are excited about this project and our support is not exclusive to the joint venture group. We will support anyone who has the intention to sincerely carry our country forward and bring us a step closer to our goals,” Erdoğan said.

Designing and producing crawler and rubber-wheel armored vehicles for the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and armed forces of Turkey’s allies, FNSS submitted its bid for mass production of the Altay tank. “Turkey’s largest land system manufacturer, Otokar, submitted a mass production bid for the Altay main battle tank, which the company designed and prototyped, to the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries. “We believe utilizing the infrastructural strength and knowledge of our company, which has successfully completed the production phase of more than 3,000 tracked armored combat vehicles to produce Altay, will offer great benefits for our ever-strengthening defense industry ecosystem, particularly for the Turkish Armed Forces,” Kurt said.

TURKEY EXPORTS AUTOMOBILE TO 96 COUNTRIES

TURKEY EXPORTS CITRUS TO 76 COUNTRIES

The Turkish Perspective Content: Aiming To Promote Istanbul’s Investment Opportunities P16 Bridge To The Future Of Natural Gas P18 Now Aiming For The Sky P21 Export Week 2017 With The Motto “Breakthrough Year Of Exports P22 “Turkey’s Brand” in Design P26 Turkey: ‘Land Of Ceramics’ P28 World’s Top Golfers Geared Up For Turkish Airlines Open 2017 P30 ISPAT Co-Organizes Roundtable Meeting In USA P32 Editor: Mustafa Yiğit

Briefing

TİM-TEB, ENERGY, FURNITURE, EXPORT, DESIGN, AVIATION, INVESTMENT...

TİM-TEB

Antivirus: Turkey’s First And Only Antivirus Technology

Developed with 100% domestic fund and Turkish engineering, CHOMAR Antivirus, which is supported by TİM-TEB Start-Up Business House, is on its way to becoming a world brand. The domestic target is to break the foreign monopoly on the cyber security market.

n September 2016, the company succeeded in obtaining the OPSWAT Gold Certificate, which is the industry standard with the highest criteria in the sector that 33 companies in the world own. Having been awarded as the first and only antivirus software of Turkey and Muslim regions with this certificate, eBilge has been

exporting its product to all over the world from USA to India, Japan to Australia, Romania to Germany and Indonesia to Thailand. CEO of the eBilge Technology A.S. S. Bilgehan Üstündağ who emphasizes that OPSWAT Gold Certificate has proved the quality of the product, says that he has made this

product is a trusted product by leading companies such as Cisco, Juniper Networks, F5 Networks, Citrix and Palo Alto Networks, which are among the world’s largest manufacturers of network devices, and be integrable into the products of related companies. Indicating that the CHOMAR Antivirus mobile security application

software that they have launched on the Google Play Store in December 2016 reaches in a short period of 100-500 thousand users, Üstündağ emphasizes that these successes are attained with high R&D investments and following the market well. S. Bilgehan Üstündağ emphasizes that according to the Gartner report, the

Briefing

market for cyber security software, which is 75 billion dollars in 2015, is expected to be 170 billion dollars in 2020. Furthermore with CHOMAR Antivirus, our country is included in the 17 countries with antivirus technology in the world. As can be understood from that, Turkey’s cyber security sector and technology exports are important items for achieving the export target of 500 billion dollars and it also means that we should take a share in the cyber security software market that is very important for our national security. S. Bilgehan Üstündağ explains the studies on cyber security in Turkey and the steps that their company has taken on the way to success:

“We have started our activities with Mersin Technopark support.” In 2010, we applied to Techno Venture Capital Support that was carried out by the Ministry of Science, Industry and Technology in that period. But we were on the waiting list Regulations were new, and we’ve seen it as a long waiting list when we stay at the waiting list. At this point, we applied to Mersin Technopark Management with our project on the purpose of avoiding time loss. We requested for support and the management did not refuse this request. They have allocated an office with a symbolic lease fee of 1 Turkish Lira. At that time, we were working on website security. We were mainly making project based business. We started the activities by using our own network. Now, we are one of the companies that have been continuously growing in Mersin Technopark. By using DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

the advantages and facilities of being located in the Mersin Technopark, we expanded our network and worked mainly outside the city. For this reason, it is very important for entrepreneurs to be involved in synergy areas, such as technoparks, where they can strengthen their networks before starting a business. We worked in the public sector beside the private sector. Government support had a significant importance for us in proceeding. First we got support from Mersin Technopark, and then we got R&D support from KOSGEB. Later, in 2014 we needed to be a joint stock company in order to be able to do large-scale business with a more institutional structure. In 2014, we also established eBilge Technology A.S with KOSGEB support. Furthermore, we benefit from TUBITAK R&D support as well as some support from the Ministry of Economy. I can say that

MAKE YOUR CYBER WORLD SAFE

Chomar has taken a share in the cyber security market.

Antıvırus and antıspyware

Low resource consumptıon

ıntuıtıve protectıon

ınternet protectıon

real-tıme protectıon

Smart scan

e-maıl protectıon

external medıa management

Data: Chomar

companies working on technology in Turkey are being given much more support than other countries in the world. In our existing plans, we aim to open liaison offices in some regions abroad. In this context, we are frequently carrying out visits abroad.

“TİM-TEB Start-Up Business House” As of 2016, we are in the levelup program of TİM-TEB Start-Up Business House. We are working intensively on consulting, networking and promotional activities at TİM-TEB Start-Up Business House.

“Global Collaborations” CHOMAR Antivirus, which is supported by TİM-TEB Start-Up Business House, is the only software company in Turkey to be recognized by the worldwide AntiMalware Testing Standards Organization. AMTSO is an international nonprofit organization founded in 2008 to meet the perceived need to improve the quality, suitability and objectivity of antimalware testing methodologies. It incorporates 52 technology giant companies around the world. The membership of our company is going to have a say in the determination of international standards, we have the right to vote at the point of making decisions.

“The use of domestic cyber security products is important” There were a few projects in our mind when we first started. We wanted to operate mainly in the cyber security market because this area has become a growing market in the world. Unfortunately, our country is dominated by foreign companies such as USA, Russia and Israel. We

The Turkish Perspective

made a decision to develop domestic cyber security software in order to get the share of this big market in the world as well as to entrust security to the foreign firms in our country. The antivirus software market, which has approximately $100 million volume annually in our country, is controlled by foreign antivirus software such as Kaspersky (Russia), Eset (Slovakia), McAfee (USA), Checkpoint / ZoneAlarm (Israel), Avira (Germany), Avast / AVG (Czech Republic), Comod, Symantec / Norton (USA). However, there is much negativity that can be experienced if foreign products are used intensively in public institutions. At the beginning of these is the current account deficit problem. But even more important is the security issue. The products incur higher costs for the first purchase and maintenance of the products compared to domestic technology, which increases the current deficit. Due to the importation of these products, there may be security problems arising from the possibility that the data may be disguised by unwanted persons. With the support of countries’ intelligence units, the possibility of exposure to cyber attacks is increasing by leaving an open door in the software. Another problem is that the malware threats that are created by targeting our country are too long to be acted on by foreign software. We aimed at antivirus software against cyber attacks with the aim of preventing these and other problems.

“We also entered the DMO Catalogue” It is not possible to say that we have reached to the potential

this product is more widely used within the country and that it is trusted with domestic products.

“We are investing in R & D more than our endorsement”

we want in Turkey yet, but our overseas studies starting with Pakistan in 2013 moves fast. From America to Japan, from Saudi Arabia to Pakistan, from Canada to Indonesia, from the United Arab Emirates to Egypt, from Germany to Mexico, from Great Britain to software giant India, from Russia to Australia, Romania, Bulgaria, Philippines, Austria, Brazil, Greece, Algeria, Thailand, Lithuania, China, Croatia, in short, our products are being used all over the world. For promotion, we mainly focus on participating in international fairs. We attended the 36th and 37th GITEX International Information and Technology Fair in Dubai. We’ve opened our own stand for about a week. GITEX is one of the biggest fairs in the industry. It was a fair where all the professionals came together and our product received intense demand there. The fair was visited more than 140 000 people. Then we had various contacts in Thailand, South Korea and Cyprus and we searched whether we could give distributorship to these regions. We got positive opinions from our talks. We are aiming to increase our global power and to expand our country’s brand,

CHOMAR Antivirus, which is supported by TİM-TEB StartUp Business House, is the only software company in Turkey to be recognized by the worldwide Anti-Malware Testing Standards Organization.

but in order to perform bigger jobs in the global arena it’s very important that our product has to be at the top-level usage in our country. Because, when we are interested in foreign business trips, we are being asked which public institutions are using our products in Turkey, especially in the case of distributorship or use in public institutions of related countries. For this reason, we have to expand our usage area in our country first so that we can work intensively in the global arena. By the end of 2015, we’ve entered the DMO catalogue. CHOMAR is in the catalogue with 12 kinds of software products. Our goal is to rebuild the cyber security infrastructure in the public. However, once again, I would like to remind that it is of utmost importance that

Our company established in November 2014 is currently continuing its processes with 14 engineers of R&D team. We are aiming to give distributorships abroad in the coming period. In Cyprus, we are continuing our research to open another R & D office. In the current situation, I can say that we have been doing R & D expenditure more than our endorsement. In 2015, 361.661 Turkish Liras were invested in R&D and this figure reached to half a million Turkish Liras in June 2016 and we completed the year with R&D investment of 2 million Turkish Liras. We plan to complete 2017 with an R&D investment of 6 million Turkish Liras. We pay great importance to personnel training, as the most important enterprise of software sector is human capital. Our team is constantly renewing itself. Our team, which is made up of all engineers, is continuing its graduate and doctoral education. Our thesis study continues on cyber security. Another important input is the quality of the equipment used up to the quality of the staff, and we continuously renew the infrastructure. Lastly, S. Bilgehan Üstündağ, who is calling for the use of domestic cyber security products, said, “You can start using domestic cyber security products with CHOMAR Antivirus from DMO, saying that public and private sector authorities are invited to use the qualities of domestic cyber security products.

Briefing

“We saved the best to the end: All the service provided by Invest in Istanbul is free of charge!”

a real one stop shop striving for your business

Easing bureaucratic burden on international investors

INVESTMENT

Invest in Istanbul:

Aiming to promote Istanbul’s investment opportunities

Invest in Istanbul has been founded as the official organization, whose specific goal is to consolidate the investment support and promotion services in Istanbul.

setting of majestic

beauty, an enviable climate, and an unsurpassed quality of life... Istanbul is one of the most dynamic and diverse economies in Europe. No wonder Istanbul is a magnet for intelligent, talented people from around the world. Creative, entrepreneurial citizens make Istanbul an innovation incubator - a place where new ideas, products and services are born. Istanbul is Turkey’s economic center of growth and has a thriving $449 billion economy. The city is committed to strengthening its trade and commerce worth $192 billion across the globe and rapidly transforming into a regional finance hub in the mid-run.

Invest in Istanbul is now actively operating! Istanbul is a world class city of opportunities, competing successfully as one of World’s one of top investment destinations. Over the past 15 years, Istanbul’s economy has experienced rapid structural change. Istanbul’s defining economic role has evolved from an efficiency-driven economy to an innovationdriven economy with strong, multi-faceted international connections that have strengthened dramatically with the rise of Turkey’s broad vision. In this respect, Invest in Istanbul has been founded as the official organization, whose specific goal is to consolidate the investment support and promotion services in Istanbul. Invest in Istanbul

carries out its services with the cooperation of prominent partners in the city; among which are governmental bodies, local stakeholders and business & trade associations. The platform is coordinated by Istanbul Development Agency in partnership with the Governorship of Istanbul, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, Istanbul Chamber of Commerce and Istanbul Chamber of Industry; aiming to promote Istanbul’s investment opportunities and assist international investors throughout all bureaucratic steps necessary for starting up their businesses in Istanbul. This synergy will no doubt add value to the investment climate of the most prospective city of the world: Istanbul!

One of the most highlighted pledges made by President Erdoğan and Prime Minister Yıldırım, particularly during the pre-referendum period, was to alleviate the burden of bureaucratic procedures by creating more compact economic administrations where all units operate in coordination. Speaking during the opening ceremony, Prime Minister Yıldırım said, “Invest in Istanbul will serve as a window for making investments and will reduce bureaucracy, thus enabling Istanbul to receive more investments.” No doubt that after the spread of this pilot project to other provinces; Turkey’s ranking in the Doing Business Index of the World Bank would immediately jump to a level among top 10 in the world.

A Real One Stop Shop Unlike Ordinary Investment Promotion Agencies How Invest in Istanbul diverges from other Investment Promotion Agencies (IPAs) in the World is that the bureaucratic steps are handled within a single office thanks to the assigned staff from various governmental institutions along with relevant software and intranet applications. Investors can submit official documents directly to these qualified staff and accelerate the process of setting up their businesses in Istanbul. We saved the best to the end: All the service provided by Invest in Istanbul is free of charge!

photograph byLOREM IPSUM

TURKEY EXPORTS CERAMIC TO 159 COUNTRIES

TURKEY EXPORTS WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S SUIT TO 58 COUNTRIES

Briefing

Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Dr. Berat Albayrak: “Turkey is the region’s key country in terms of energy.”

ENERGY

BRIDGE TO THE FUTURE OF NATURAL GAS

Gathering around the main theme of “the bridge to the future of natural gas”, 50 local and foreign specialists shared their opinions during the 2 days and 9 sessions of the congress. BY RAMAZAN GÜZYURDU

he International

Natural Gas Congress and Fair (INGAS), organized by İGDAŞ, was held at the Haliç Congress Center between 2 and 3 November. The Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Dr. Berat Albayrak made the opening speech for INGAS, in which 5 thousand sector representatives coming from more than 20 different countries participated. İGDAŞ, an associate of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, has organized INGAS for the 7th time. Accepted as one of the DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

most distinguished organizations of the natural gas distribution sector, INGAS’s main theme was “the bridge to the future of natural gas.” The congress, in which the future of natural gas was discussed, commenced with remarks by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Dr. Berat Albayrak. The Governor of Istanbul Vasip Şahin, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mevlüt Uysal, İGDAŞ General Manager Mehmet Çevik and the President of GAZBİR Yaşar Arslan were

also present at the opening ceremony besides Minister Albayrak. The second day of INGAS began with opening speeches voiced by the Energy Market Regulatory Board (EMRA) President Mustafa Yılmaz and Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources Undersecretary Fatih Dönmez.

Europe’s energy supply security starts from Turkey Mentioning Turkey’s seismic exploration activities in the Eastern Mediterranean sea and the steps she has taken in the field of storage,

Minister Albayrak continued his speech stating “Despite tension policies adopted by certain countries in the region, we maintained a sensible energy diplomacy and showed that we are open to all kinds of cooperation for commercialization efforts of the gas from the Eastern Mediterranean sea. Moreover, should the parties come to an agreement regarding the TurkStream project, planned to finished in 2019-2020, it will contribute to the natural gas supply security of Europe. The projects we have developed verify the statement put forth by energy experts that “Europe’s energy supply security starts from Turkey. Turkey is the region’s key country in terms of energy. Turkey is an important regional player and a trustworthy partner” he concluded. Stating that İGDAŞ has taken on an important task in solving the problems of Istanbul with its operations, Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Mevlüt Uysal expressed that “İGDAŞ has always been a leader and a pioneer when it comes to natural gas. It has been the place of ‘firsts’ in its sector. With the congress and fair it has organized, IGDAŞ will continue as the establishment in Turkey who takes the first steps towards the future.” During the speech he gave on the second day of INGAS 2017, Fatih Dönmez stated that he was a former İGDAŞ employee himself and continued his words saying “Istanbul breaths today thanks to İGDAŞ. Before natural gas, air pollution in Istanbul had reached

The Turkish Perspective

representatives will be getting together. The fair, which lasted for two days, accelerated the import and export by hosting significant commercial agreements.

alarming levels. Newspapers would give away masks and warn people not to go outside without putting one on. Without İGDAŞ, today only seagulls and pilots would be able to see the sky.”

Local And Foreign Companies Collaborated

INGAS serves our purpose of becoming a central country in energy EMRA’s President Mustafa Yılmaz expressed that INGAS, themed as a bridge to the future of natural gas, served Turkey’s purpose of becoming a center of trade in energy. He further said that “EMRA’s goal is the same. We are aware that in order to achieve this goal, we must strengthen our transparent structure. Once only accessible by 6 provinces, our efforts have made natural gas available in all corners of the country.” Menelaos Ydreos, who is the Executive Director of the International Gas Union (IGU), one of the pioneer organizations in the world natural gas sector, also attended INGAS 2017. Stating in his speech that he had found the opportunity to read the World Energy Outlook (WEO), planned to be published on 14 November, Ydreos said that the environmental advantages of natural gas were going to be emphasized in this publication. Ydreos also added that the world’s biggest natural gas companies showed great effort concerning methane gas emissions.

“We fulfilled our purpose at INGAS” İGDAŞ General Manager Mehmet Çevik indicated in his closing speech for INGAS 2017 that they aimed at serving Turkey’s strategy to become ‘a central country in energy.’ “That our Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Dr. Berat

Albayrak should express he ‘sincerely believes INGAS will strengthen our country’s strategic position in the natural gas industry’ during his opening speech holds a very special meaning for us. What an honor, this shows that we have fulfilled our purpose.”

Make Import And Export Speed In INGAS 2017, countries such as United States, Germany, Azerbaijan,

Austria, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, United Arab Emirates, Bulgaria, Algeria, Cape Town, Djibouti, China, Morocco, France, Ethiopia, Ghana, Georgia, South Sudan, Netherlands, India, Iraq, Britain, Iran, Sweden, Italy, Canada, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Qatar, Kenya, Kuwait, Macedonia, Nigeria, Oman, Uzbekistan, Russia, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Ukraine and Greece and more than 250 company

More than 40 ministries, foundations, universities and CSOs are among the supporters of this huge fair, including the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, the Energy Market Regulatory Authority and the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. In this international platform that brought the stakeholders of the sector together in Istanbul, various issues such as natural gas geopolitics and supply security, risk and opportunity management in the natural gas sector, legal regulations in the natural gas market, climate and environment, access to finance and financial resources in the natural gas sector, natural gas operation, new approaches and technologies, innovation and R&D were discussed. Moreover, the companies participating in the fair also got the opportunity to meet the innovations of the natural gas giant countries in the sector.

Briefing

Furniture

by 59 thousand 64 people, both domestic and foreign. Furniture Istanbul was visited 4 thousand 348 buyers from 84 countries including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, which are the target markets of the sector, as well as Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

committee from all over Turkey, especially Manisa, Eskişehir, Kayseri, Ankara, Konya, Uşak and Trabzon as well as foreign buyers: “2018-19 furniture and decoration trends were determined in Furniture Istanbul. Many of our innovative products, ranging from intelligent beds managed by control and mobile phones, to a tutor and educator’s young room, to massages and smart bases, have been exhibited. Our design, innovation-focused brought together 14 designers from Italy, Spain, France, Finland and Holland to meet young designer candidates at a seminar event called Design Stories to make presentations about their future designs and the secrets of working with world famous brands.”

Intensive Interest From Domestic And Foreign Visitors

The Best Stand Award Was Enza Home

MOSDER President Nuri Öztaşkın, who is in the evaluations about the fair, said: “I think that we have achieved a very successful fair in every aspect. Furniture Istanbul has played an important role in demonstrating the superiority of Turkish furniture in terms of design and functionality, and has succeeded in building Turkish furniture giants under the same roof. 59 thousand 64 people, including 4,348 foreigners, visited our fair, which received intense interest from abroad and domestically. Furniture Istanbul, which has a strategic pre-requisite for the development of the furniture sector, has also served as a bridge for the announcement of Turkish brands to the world. The first time, 300 brands have exhibited their new products, our fairs also hosted very important designers from abroad with their seminars.

The Design Contest Awards, in which the best examples of the Turkish furniture sector exporting to 193 countries are revealed, were organized among furniture products displayed at the Furniture Istanbul Fair. Enza Home, Selena, Loda, Ortakbir Bed, Almila, Colorful, İstikbal, Teleset, Yatsan, Yataş Bedding, İdaş were awarded companies in the Design Contest where 7 different categories of products competed. Enza Home took the first place in the 2017 Design Competition in the categories of Dining Room, Bedroom, Complementary FurnitureAccessories and Best Stand categories. In the competition, Selena in the Sitting-Resting Category, Almila in the Young Room category, and Yatsan in the Sleeping Category were crowned with their prizes and had a chance to show themselves.

Furniture Istanbul:

OPEN UP TO THE WORLD

Istanbul Furniture Fair (Furniture Istanbul), which brings together 75% of the Turkish furniture sector under the same roof, was organized at CNR EXPO Yeşilköy between 7-12 November. BY RAMAZAN GÜZYURDU

he fair was visited

DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

Visitors And Buying Committee From 84 Countries CNR Holding General Coordinator Cem Şenel also stated that 84 countries including Italy, Germany, Austria and Switzerland which are the leading countries of the furniture sector, as well as Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, visited the fair with their buying committee. Şenel continued his words by drawing attention to buying

“Furniture Istanbul has played an important role in demonstrating the superiority of Turkish furniture.”

The Turkish Perspective

AGRICULTURE

NOW AIMING FOR THE SKY

Setting its targets to produce 1.5 million tons of certificated seeds by 2023, seed growing industry is now aiming for the sky. Production of certificated seeds increased by 560 percent from 145k tons in 2002 to 958k tons in 2016. BY ALPEREN ÇEVİKASLAN

he President of

Turkey Seed Growers Association (TURKTOB), Mr. Kamil Yılmaz, with around 40 thousand members countrywide, stated “our industry’s first target was to reach 1 million tons of certificated seeds in 2023. Thanks to outstanding efforts of public and local seed growers, this target has been achieved earlier. With this proud achievement, we raised our target for seed production up to 1.5 million tons for 2023”. Underlining Turkey’s major position as an exporter in strategic seed growing industry, Mr. Kamil Yılmaz, the President of TÜRKTOB added, “There is a delusion claiming that ‘Turkey is dependent on foreign sources for seeds and supplies all its seed needs from Israel’. On the contrary, Turkey is now in a position to export seed plants to Israel. We sell seeds to 76 countries”.

Stating the first countries we export the most seeds are Ukraine, Hungary, France, Romania and Russia, Mr. Yılmaz continued “Our seed export folded 8 times in the last 15 years and increased from USD 17,3 million in 2002 to USD 153,5 million. Our estimate target for 2017 is 10 percent growth, which I totally believe to achieve. We will be attending the most important international fair for our industry, Growtech Eurasia Antalya Agricultural Fair between November 29 and December 02. We meet all our sub-unions and farmers and do our best

to provide public opinion with correct information at Growtech Eurasia, which is both supported by TURKTOB and the industry. We hold our meetings both with national and international stakeholders under the roof of Growtech Eurasia International Greenhouse, Agricultural Equipment and Technologies Fair in Antalya. This year, 800 companies from 30 countries and 85k visitors from 85 countries are expected to attend the fair. Growtech Eurasia offers us great opportunities”.

Growtech Eurasia Achieved to Increase the Number of International Exhibitors by 50 Percent This Year Mr. Engin Er, Growtech Eurasia Brand Director, mentioned that Turkey is an attention-capturing market for the world both with its production potential and purchasing power and added

“One of our major goals is to contribute to agricultural industry in its efforts to reach international markets. This year, we set the bar higher and achieved to increase the number of international exhibitors by 50%. In addition, just like every ear, Growtech Eurasia will host a Buying Committee Program within the organization of West Mediterranean Exporters Union and in coordination with the Ministry of Economy aiming to reach 41 countries. Our program will include buyers from around 50 companies. We have taken all steps to increase this number. We aimed for participation of 800 leading companies from 30 countries, plus we break our own visitor record for many years in a row that is now kind of a tradition to us. Our target for this year is to reach 85k visitors from 85 countries and to add more values to our exhibitors and visitors”. Growtech Eurasia 17th International Greenhouse, Agricultural Equipment and Technologies Fair to be held on a space of 50 thousand square meters in Antalya Expo Center between November 29 and December 2 includes categories ‘Seed Growing’, ‘Irrigation Systems and Greenhouse Technologies’, ‘Plant Nutrition and Protection’ and ‘Agricultural Machinery and Equipment’.

Briefing

EXPORT

EXPORT WEEK 2017 WITH THE MOTTO

“BREAKTHROUGH YEAR OF EXPORTS”

“Turkish Export Week” that organized by TİM with the support of Turkish Ministry of Economy provided an excellent opportunity to exporters to reach extensive knowledge about the export, finds solutions to their problems and broadens their business networks. BY RAMAZAN GÜZYURDU

urkish Export Week,

which was organized by Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), was in Istanbul for the first time this year between November 1st – 3rd 2017 with the participation of Turkish Prime Minister Mr. Binali Yıldırım and other related Turkish ministers. World-class Experts, honorable Public and Private Sector Representatives and valuable Turkish Exporters presented in the event taking active part in panels, presentations alongside a buying mission form different countries. The event, which is planned to be organized annually, was comprised of panels on export financing, logistics and customs procedures, services exports, failure experiences, Turkish Trade Centers and Export Arena with Ali Kırca. There was also Q&A Sessions in which exporters are able to direct their questions to high-level representatives from various ministries and exchange views about current problems of exporters. An extensive Buying Mission Program, bringing together exporters from many different countries was held during the week to provide exporters with an opportunity DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

to directly contact and network with business people from different corners of the world. Moreover, Export Compass Route events for Morocco, Indonesia and Singapore were held to examine prominent points about market entry strategies.

BEST OCTOBER IN TURKISH EXPORT HISTORY During the opening ceremony of the “Export

Week 2017” Prime Minister, Binali Yıldırım, Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci and the Chairman of Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TİM), Mehmet Büyükekşi announced the export data of October 2017. Commenting on the data, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım stated that, “Turkey’s exports have been increasing for the last 12 months” and Minister of Economy Nihat

Zeybekci claimed that Turkey would surpass $156.5 billion by the end of the year, which is the new Medium Term Program target for exports. Chairman of TİM, Mehmet Büyükekşi told that, “In the last year, incentive for exports tripled. We will show our gratitude by surpassing the Medium Term Program target.” According to TİM data, exports were recorded as $13.5 billion with an increase of 15.6%, which is an all-time high figure for the month October. In addition to this, exports in the first ten months of 2017 were increased by 11%, reaching $128.7 billion. Quantity based exports reached 10.1 million tons in October with an increase of 14.1%. Top performing sectors in October were automotive with $2.63

According to TİM data, exports were recorded as $13.5 billion with an increase of 15.6%, which is an all-time high figure for the month October.

The Turkish Perspective

Chairman of TİM, Mehmet Büyükekşi mentioned about Turkish exporters’ demand for a resolution to the problems.

EXPORT ARENA WITH ALİ KIRCA

billion, apparel with $1.54 billion and chemicals with $1.48 billion. Exports to EU were increased by %17.6, while exports to Russia increased by %62 and exports to USA by %31. During his speech, Büyükekşi also delivered exporters’ demands to the Prime Minister in addition to the export data, while promising 100,000 exporters by the year 2023.

DEMANDS FOR A RESOLUTION Turkish Exporters’ Assembly (TİM) Chairman Mehmet Büyükekşi delivered the opening speech at Turkish Export Week and elaborated on the growing demand for Turkish goods. He mentioned about Turkish exporters’ demands for a resolution to the problems related to the valueadded tax (VAT), additional fees for customs procedures outside shift hours, and requested more support for the private sector in research and development (R&D). Büyükekşi also urged for quicker decisions to

modernize the customs union agreement with the EU, redesigning the growth model based on innovation, strengthen bilateral ties with the EU and open new EU accession chapters, accelerating exporters’ work on mitigating currency risk, applying flexible working hours and severance pay, and making amendments in education system to emphasize the importance of production.

‘Export Arena’ with Ali Kırca was held within the scope of Export Week organized by TİM. Business representatives in Export Arena spoke on exchange rate risk, export financing, R&D and innovation. Ali Kırca, who is the moderator of Export Arena, said, “We were once a country that imported series. But now we are a series exporting country. I think that with the influence of these series, an important difference in Turkey’s social and current deficit is closed.” Tarık Sönmez, Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Economy, stated that the share of high technology products exports

Briefing

is 3.5-4% in total exports. “We aim to increase this rate to at least 15% in 2023. We added a project based support system to the investment incentive system. We also have design work on textiles. We will support activities that produce high value added products in the public sector.”

Promotion is important for branding Turkey TİM Vice President Süleyman Kocasert also conveyed that Turkey’s goal is to become a brand. Kocasert explaining that they have set out to make Turkey into a brand in towel, said, “10 years ago Turkey had an average export price of 6 towels per kilogram. Today we are exporting 8-8.5 dollars. Turkey’s average export per kilogram is $ 1.5, while the average export per kilogram of developed countries is $ 4.”

AIMING TO BOOST USE OF LOCAL CURRENCIES Turkey aims to boost the use of local currencies in trade relations with neighboring countries, to make sure that the country can independently carry out business using the Turkish lira and protect it from rate fluctuations, Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci said on Export Week 2017. The minister told that the use of the Turkish Lira in the country’s foreign trade volume has reached 15 percent, but noted that this figure is around 6 to 7 percent when gold trade is excluded. When Turkey trades using foreign currencies, this damages the Turkish Lira while strengthening foreign currencies, Zeybekci said, adding that when trade is done using local currencies, Turkey will not be negatively affected by rate fluctuations as much. DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

“This benefits everyone, including Russia, Iran, Turkey, China and Japan,” he said. Zeybekci also emphasized the growing development of electronic trade, underlining the importance and prevalence of e-commerce. He noted that 12 percent of trade occurs electronically in developed countries, whereas in developing countries it is only around 6 to 7 percent. He warned that since each year this rate increases by 15 percent, and the entire trading system will completely change within the next five years, it is imperative that Turkey starts trading with national capital now.

CONTINUE TO GROW TOGETHER Turkey’s export support, which was worth one billion Turkish liras ($262 million) in 2016 and three billion liras ($787 million) in 2017, will rise to 4.2 billion liras ($1.1

“We need to focus on the change in the global economy and demography while we are building our strategy.”

billion) in 2018, Finance Minister Naci Ağbal said on Export Week 2017. He added that on a firstnine-month basis in 2017, the country gave 22.6 billion Turkish liras ($5.93 billion) in value-added tax returns. Firstnine-months tax returns to exporters were 17.7 billion liras ($4.64 billion) in 2016 and 15.1 billion liras ($3.96 billion) in 2015. “Investors, producers, employers, exporters, civil servants and government will continue to grow together,” Ağbal said.

Although 2016 was the worst year in the post-2009 period in terms of global growth, positive progress will be seen in the upcoming period, he emphasized, saying there was intense capital flow from developing countries to Turkey. “The power balance in the global economy changes rapidly. Production and trade are shifting from west to east. Global transportation routes are changing. We need to focus on the change in the global economy and demography while we are building our strategy,” Ağbal highlighted. He underlined the importance of Asia, Africa and Europe which offered significant opportunities for Turkey, especially in terms of the service sector: “Emerging countries, especially the ones we call the E-7, will raise their share of the global economy to over 40-50 percent in the 2030-2050 period.”

The Turkish Perspective

FOCUS ON THE DEVELOPING COUNTRIES Speaking at the Turkey Export Week 2017, Mehmet Şimşek said, “The renewal of the customs union agreement will be the most important issue.” Turkey prefers an outwardoriented model and has recently signed free trade agreements with a number of countries, Şimşek said, adding that the issue of updating the customs union with the EU was already a demand of local exporters and that work was being carried out in this regard. “We will hold a transportation and energy summit with the EU within the next one-and-a-half months and hold a highlevel economy dialogue on Dec. 7-8. We will discuss our economic relations in detail along with the private sector related to the upcoming period at the meeting. The update of the customs union is one of the most important issues,” he said. The minister added that the upward trend in economic growth in the Eurozone, Turkey’s main trading partner, and the recovery in global trade volume was good news for the country.

Export Week 2017 has provided 700 buyers from 66 countries with 5 thousand Turkish companies and made a great contribution to taking important steps towards the future. “Europe is our main market. Our second-biggest markets are the Middle East and North Africa. However, we should also focus on the developing countries that are gaining ground,” Şimşek added.

EXPORT ıs THE ONLY WAY Export Week 2017 has provided 700 buyers from 66 countries with 5 thousand

Turkish companies and made a great contribution to taking important steps towards the future. A total of 30 chambers of commerce in the Balkans, the Middle East, Africa and the United States and the president of the business world Civil Society Organization (CSO) also attended the Turkey Export Week. CSO presidents spoke at business forums organized for the regions they represented. The forums were not only Turkish participants, but also foreign delegation representatives. During the Export Week 2017 organized by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), simultaneous sessions and panelists made up of 700

companies from 66 countries and bilateral negotiations with Turkish companies. The number of Turkish companies registering for bilateral business negotiations was 5. Those who requested the purchase delegations including participants from countries such as Russia, Israel, Ghana, Colombia, Iraq, Malaysia, Peru, Thailand, Romania performed plant visits in Bursa with the Gebze Organized Industrial Zones in Kocaeli and İkitelli in Istanbul.

Special request from Israeli company

Within the scope of bilateral business negotiations, a special request from an Israeli company has made a great contribution to taking steps from Turkish automotive, greenhouses, iron and steel products, medical foods, cereals and confectionary sectors. Important supplier companies carried out individual negotiations with the firm.

“We are trying to shed light on our exporters”

Mehmet Büyükekşi, President of the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM), “We aim to create awareness about exports in every part of our society with this activity. We are trying to spread every cut of export cult. So, export is one of the most important factors in the development of every country. Even a friend said, ‘We have been fighting for years with the Russians, we have always lost, but we are winning this war right now. Because we sell goods to them, ‘he said. So export is really important. We are making an extraordinary effort in this regard,” he noted the importance of the organization.

Desıgn

“TURKEY’S BRAND” IN DESIGN

Design Week Turkey created awareness throughout the country about the “design” and brought design to the whole industry and contribute to the economy. By mustafa yiğit

urkey Design Week

(Design Week Turkey), organized by the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) together with the Ministry of Economy, has turned into the biggest platform of the country despite its second year. This year, with the theme of “Potential of Design”, the event held in Istanbul Lütfi Kırdar Convention and Exhibition Center on November 8-12, revealed the potential of design in Turkey. Design Week Turkey, which was organized with the aim of creating awareness throughout the country about the “design” that TİM emphasized in every work and contributing to the economy by bringing design to the whole industry, has increased by 75% in just one year. In Design Week, where five DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

days and 32 conferences and panels were held; 103 world famous speakers told about their experience about industrial, fashion, visual communication and architectural design. In the event, 52 designers and design offices exhibited their future trend-setting work. 14 workshops, which brought together designers working on different disciplines on 17 different exhibitions in various fields from handwork to digital, followed by 41,762 exhibitors. They also followed the installations specially prepared for the event.

DESIGN TURKEY AWARDS FOUND THEIR OWNERS Design Turkey 2017 Industrial Design Competition Award Ceremony, organized by Ministry of Economy and

Turkish Exporters Assembly as part of Turkey Design Week, was held with the attendance of Economy Minister Nihat Zeybekci. Speaking at the ceremony, Chairman of TİM, Mehmet Büyükekşi pointed out that a person saw an average of 400 objects a day and those they were the subjects of design. Büyükekşi, “Here we want to direct the design of manufacturers and exporters. We want to work on this. They learn to spend money on design. Learn how to make a fake design. Because we know that design is a powerful effect that increases the added value of products,” he said. Büyükekşi said that in the last year 66 exporters have opened or applied to design center through TİM. “The work and supports will increase

the industrial design applicants from 100,000 to 200,000 per year with an increase of 35 percent over the last 10 years and exceeding 40,000 annually. We invite all our designers to make inspirational contributions to our civilization and our economy.” In the event where the design departments of the universities showed great interest, the future designers had the opportunity to perform interactive conversations with experts. Students also had the opportunity to gain experience in many subjects such as exhibition organization, communicating with the private sector, and also showed great interest in the workshops that brought out creative ideas. Chairman of TİM, Mehmet Büyükekşi, emphasizing that they are satisfied with the intense interest shown in the event, “We have seen that the potential of design this year is a serious countervailing. Turkey Design Week has become the most important platform to exist with product labels that say ‘Designed in Turkey’ in world markets. The panelists, designers and university representatives participating in the event

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Briefing

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The Turkish Perspective

expressed that they had a very productive activity from the first day until the last day, “he said.

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Finland Day in Design Week Turkey Finland celebrated its 100th anniversary with Finland Day. Finland Day attracted a great deal of attention, including an intensive program such as service design, innovation, brand management and product design. In the Design Week, where the guest country Finland was welcomed and enriched, the industrial design, Finland’s 100-year-old roots institutions and speakers handed out architecture, and branding experiences. Leading names in Finnish Design met on a Finland Day with an intense program of design enthusiasts who will be presenting interesting speakers such as service design, innovation, brand management, DNA of design and product design. The Finland Day program featured seminars, panels, design talks and workshops to be attended by representatives from Finland’s leading companies such as Metsä, Kone, Pentagon Design,

Turkey Design Week has become the most important platform to exist with product labels that say ‘Designed in Turkey’ in world markets.

Fiskars, Isku, Halton and Merivaara. It was discussed how private sector and public organizations could use their power to make their own performances, productions and customer satisfaction better in Finland. Among the Finnish and Turkish companies, B2B negotiations have also taken place in many sectors such as health technologies, concept design, ICT, education and clean technologies.

Trends of the future are exhibited by famous designers The event, hosted by many Turkish and international artists and designers, Human + Artificial Creativity, where

Artificial Intelligence meets with design and art, curated by William Myers, exhibits adorno.design’s exhibition reflecting different design cultures from Sao Paolo to Istanbul, and the Finnish designer and entrepreneur Martta Leskela produced by Syrian refugee women Ragmate, where designs took place, was among the international exhibitions. In the exhibition of Genetic Codes of Turkish Design, there were products that the tradition and crafts richness combined with the industry. Faruk Malhan’s Moments, Yılmaz Zenger’s Art & Design, Koray Arş’s functional leather products, Urban Workshop’s Concrete Design Products, and Istanbul Fashion Academy (IMA) students’ exhibitions like ‘We are’ had a great attraction from attendances. In the Trend Area where the trends of 2018-2019 are included in Design Week, the tile series installation designed by the world famous designer Ettore Sottsass for the İznik Foundation, the “Motion in Shell” installation by Melike Altınışık, “Yolgeçen” Upcycling performed by Şule Koç and Ayşe Çoşkun Orlandi The output of the workshop has also been exhibited. The winners of the sectoral design competitions, organized by the Exporters’ Union and the Design Turkey Industrial Design Competition, organized by the Ministry of Economy, TİM and Industrial Designers Professional Association (ETMK), received the awards from Minister of Economy Nihat Zeybekci’s hand. Zeybekci gave a big motivation to the designer by saying that our design, our industry, our exports and our future are gunpowder, energy and that this area will continue to support every time.

Briefing

CERAMIC

Turkey:

‘LAND OF CERAMICS’ Ceramic industry continues to grow with certain steps in last years and contribute to Turkey’s export with its great performance. ilhan alpay ogan

ue to its rich

history of ceramic production, Turkey can be seen as the ‘land of ceramics’. These traditions have been colored by the many different civilizations that have evolved in the Anatolian region. In addition to this cultural history, geography has played an important role. The abundance of natural resources in Anatolia ensures high quality ceramic products and these raw materials are also exported for ceramic production outside Turkey. As well as being a world leader in ceramic production, Turkey has some of the most sophisticated technology and innovative products on the market. Turkish ceramic producers work closely with some of the world’s most talented designers in order to create exciting new products that are both beautiful and functional. The versatility of ceramic as a material meant that techniques evolved and designs flourished to create pieces and products of functionality and ornamental beauty. Since Turkish ceramic production was industrialized in the 1950s, the country has rapidly increased its share in the world ceramics market and is now a global competitor in the production of ceramic tiles and sanitary ware.

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“The current account deficit diminishes as the ceramic sector grows” “Export Contribution Index of Turkey”, preparing by Turkish Ceramic Federation (TSF) and economist Dr. Can Fuat Gürlesel and evaluating the 17 industry sectors, was announced. Construction ceramics was the sector with the highest contribution rate in the third quarter of 18.27, followed by clothing, furniture and food products. Speaking at the meeting, TSF President Erdem Çenesiz said, “Investment incentives should be linked to export commitments in sectors with a surplus of ceramic and similar capacities, and this index shows that if the ceramic industry is supported, 10 years from now.”

Turkey has some of the most sophisticated technology and innovative products on the ceramic industry.

“We anticipate that by the end of 2017, each of the first nine months of the growth will be increased by a further 1.2 percentage points, with positive contributions from the last quarter’s performance. Thus, with the support of exports throughout the year, we expect the sector to grow by eight to nine percent. This growth in the sector is anticipated to be in line with the growth of the construction industry in the six-to-seven percent range in 2017,” TSF Presidents said. In this context, two entrepreneurs Mrs. Zuhal Bilginalp and Mrs. Nihal Sarıoğlu establish Zen Ceramics, one of the great companies of the ceramic industry, in 2009 at one of İstanbul’s most historical place, Galata. In their atelier, they produce hand made, unique porcelain objects plates and cups suitable for daily use. They are mostly inspired by “İstanbul “ the city they live in, as well as the Anatolian Culture. Their design and production team is highly creative and innovative. Zen Ceramics Combines the Anatolian Culture with contemporary designs at its hand made unique porcelain objects suitable for daily life.

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Briefing

Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlut Çavuşoğlu and Minister of Youth and Sports, Osman Aşkın Bak attended the award ceremony of the Turkish Airlines Open 2017.

AVIATION

World’s Top Golfers Meet At Turkish Airlines Open 2017 Turkish Airlines, flying to more countries than any other airline in the world, continues to fulfill its commitment to the global sports events and organizations that reflects its dynamism and competitive spirit in every aspect.

urkish Airlines

Open is part of the European Tour’s Rolex Series – a selection of eight premier events on the European Tour, each with a prize fund of at least $7 million. It is the fifth time that Turkish Airlines has sponsored the tournament, which took place between 2-5 November 2017 in Antalya, one of the most attractive cities in Turkey.

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The four day long tournament also witnessed lively events. The Blue Room broadcast brought Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood and commentator Wayne Riley together on tournament’s first day and was watched by 1.2 million people worldwide. The close fought competition was decided on the 72nd hole where Rose,

the gold medalist at last year’s Olympics, pulled clear with a fine birdie leaving him a shot ahead of Nicolas Colsaerts and Dylan Frittelli at the Regnum Carya Golf and Spa Resort for his second win in two weeks. Rose’s win was not the end of the drama for the huge crowds, with Turkish Airlines taking to the skies to present the Englishman, who won

the 2012 Turkish Airlines World Final and last week’s WGC-HSBC Champions, with the trophy. Hoverboard world record holder Alexandru Duru flew in to hand the trophy over and his appearance from the Belek skies provided a fitting end to another remarkable week at the Turkish Airlines Open. Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu said:

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The Turkish Perspective

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“This is the fifth year of this tournament and without Turkish Airlines it would not have happened. Thanks to this event, golf is growing in this country and is more popular than ever.” Minister of Youth and Sports, Osman Aşkın Bak said: “We have reached the end of another successful Turkish Airlines Open. We have always supported this tournament and we will continue to do so. I also extend my thanks to Turkish Airlines.” Turkish Airlines’ Chairman of the Board and the Executive Committee, M. İlker Aycı, said: “Flying to more countries than any other airline and attaching its name to the finest tournaments in the world, Turkish Airlines is once again proud to have displayed our high service quality and our hallmark hospitality through this tournament to a global audience. Moreover, Turkish Airlines Open has earned Antalya, and Belek in particular, a place in the itinerary of many players as a top golf destination, thanks to the tournament’s

“Without Turkish Airlines this organization would not have happened. Thanks to this event, golf is growing in this country and is more popular than ever.” Turkey’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu

wide reach across the world. We were also delighted to surprise everyone with Alexandru Duru flying in with a hoverboard to deliver the trophy today. Turkish Airlines remains committed to growing golf

globally, through both our sponsorship of this event and organization of the Turkish Airlines World Golf Cup Amateur series, which gives almost 8,000 amateurs a chance to swing at some of the world’s best golf courses.”

Winner of the Turkish Airlines Open 2017 Rose said: “It’s been great to be back in Antalya. I really love it here. I’ve had a great week and really enjoyed playing this course. It was lots of fun. Before I have won with two putts on the last green and it was unique to make a putt that really counted on the last hole.” The event also hosted the “Drone Golf Championship”, held for the second time within the scope of Turkish Airlines Open. The players tried to lead the ball-carrying drones through tough courses and drop the balls closest to the pins. Martin Kaymer and Shane Lowry lifted the trophy. The fierce competition has also led to a Guinness world record being broken during the tournament. Team England broke “The Fastest Hole of Golf ” record with 32,7 seconds.

Briefing

INVESTMENT

ISPAT CO-ORGANIZES ROUNDTABLE MEETING IN USA

HONORED BY PRIME MINISTER BİNALİ YILDIRIM O

n the occasion of his official visit in the US, Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım and his delegation met with representatives of major US companies at a roundtable meeting in New York to discuss the current economic and commercial ties between the two countries. The meeting was held jointly by the Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey (ISPAT), the Union of Chambers and

DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), and the US Chamber of Commerce. Among the US participants were companies such as PepsiCo, UPS, Raytheon, Coca-Cola, GE Aviation, Credit Suisse, Accenture, Motorola, Amazon, Citi Group, Deutsche Bank, and IBM. Yıldırım briefed US companies on Turkey’s economic outlook, the ongoing reform process,

and the significance Turkey attaches to FDI. During his speech at the meeting, ISPAT President Arda Ermut said that supporting FDI from US – the largest source of FDI globally and also one of the largest sources for Turkey – is of paramount importance to ISPAT. Ermut emphasized that bilateral investments will undoubtedly reach new heights, thanks to the more than 1,700 US companies that operate in

Turkey and that have invested more than USD 11 billion over the past 15 years. Also accompanying Yıldırım were Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Şimşek, Minister of Foreign Affairs Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, Energy Minister Berat Albayrak, Turkey’s Ambassador to the UN Feridun Sinirlioğlu, Ambassador of Turkey to US Serdar Kılıç, and TOBB President Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu.

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“The ongoing economic reform process in Turkey promises new incentives for US investors that remain a preferred source of FDI.”

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The Turkish Perspective

Ispat’s Usa Roadshow Aims To Attract

More Fdi And Bridge Perception Gap T

he Investment Support and Promotion Agency of Turkey (ISPAT) held a roadshow in the US during the first week of November in order to meet with investors in Atlanta, Cincinnati, and Chicago to bridge the perception gap that might have been discouraging them from taking a fresh look at Turkey. ISPAT first talked up Turkey’s lucrative investment opportunities at a roundtable meeting hosted by the World Affairs Council of Atlanta and the World Trade Center Atlanta. During his speech at the meeting, ISPAT President Arda Ermut talked about how with a bilateral trade volume of USD 17.5 billion in 2016, the US ranked 5th in Turkey’s exports and was 4th in its imports that year. “Because of the importance we place upon the US, we very often organize roadshows, top-tier meetings, and programs here. We have attended plenty of

investment related seminars all around the US in recent years and have collaborated with US institutions and business associations,” added Ermut. The ISPAT delegation, accompanied by Procter & Gamble Turkey-Caucasus Vice President and General Manager Tankut Turnaoğlu, then visited Procter & Gamble global headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio. The final leg of the roadshow saw Ermut come together with leaders of the Turkish-US business community at a dinner reception hosted

by the Turkish Consulate in Chicago. Ermut also delivered a guest lecture on the history and future of USTurkey business ties to MBA students at the University of Chicago - Booth School of Business. During all of these meetings, attendees were offered insights into the latest regulations and incentives affecting Turkey’s investment climate. Hot topics at the meetings also suggested that Turkey’s young population and deep internet and smartphone penetration provide opportunities for mega

multinational companies like Coca-Cola, which runs operations for 90 countries out of Istanbul, and Proctor & Gamble. Turkey now has 20 cities with more than a million people. Meanwhile, the banking sector is also largely open to foreign investment, providing potential ins for US financial technology and payments giants. Ermut expressed interest in connecting the burgeoning startup scene in the US to entrepreneurial efforts on the ground in Turkey. It was also mentioned during the meetings that Turkey has a slate of tax incentives that vary by region and sector. One notable policy that has drawn many ICT centers to Istanbul is a tax exemption on income related to R&D within Turkey. More importantly, incentives are the icing on the cake of a location where companies can easily reach promising markets in the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia. Ermut also said that within four hours’ flight from Turkey exists a combined market of 1.6 billion people and a combined GDP of USD 26 trillion.

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Kuwait And Turkey Forge Mou To Boost Bilateral Investments T

urkish President Erdoğan’s official visit in Kuwait to hold talks with Kuwait’s Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah saw a number of agreements concluded in fields such as the economy, military, culture, science, and sports. Among the agreements was an MoU for the encouragement of bilateral investments between Turkey and Kuwait that was inked by ISPAT President Arda Ermut and Director

General of Kuwait’s Direct Investment Promotion Authority (KDIPA) Sheikh Dr. Meshaal Jaber Al Ahmed Al-Sabah. Under the terms of the MoU, the two investment promotion agencies will exchange investment related information, expertise, and technical know-how with the aim to increase mutual investments and expand available investment opportunities. On a separate occasion

later the same month, the ISPAT delegation together with Turkish private equity companies visited Kuwait

and Qatar to cultivate long-term relations between global limited partners and Turkish general partners.

Briefing

BOEING SETS UP TECH CENTER IN ISTANBUL AS PART OF TURKEY NATIONAL AEROSPACE INITIATIVE O

perating in Turkey for 70 years with full confidence in the country’s economy and the aviation sector, the US civil and military aircraft manufacturer Boeing unveiled the details of the Turkey National Aerospace Initiative, which was previously announced by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan’s US visit in September, at a press conference hosted by the Undersecretary for Defense Industries Prof. Dr. İsmail Demir, Boeing Turkey Managing Director & Country Executive Ayşem Sargın, and ISPAT President Arda Ermut.

During his speech at the press conference, Ermut said that the initiative will support the growth of the Turkish aerospace industry in line with the country’s 2023 vision and will foster further

factory investment. We pay attention to the transfer of technology, employment generation, and exportoriented production in direct investments. From this perspective, the technology

transfer that we always highlight will be achieved through the technology, engineering, and R&D investments by Boeing under this initiative,” added Ermut. Within the scope of the initiative, Boeing intends to expand its operations in Turkey by introducing an Aviation Industry Development Program that is due to be launched by the company under the auspices of the Undersecretary for the Turkish Defense Industry in Istanbul, and by setting up centers such as an Engineering and Technology Development Center, and a Regional Flight Training Center.

SPAT President Arda Ermut recently attended the 14th Vienna Economic Forum (VEF): Vienna Future Dialogue 2017 and was a panelist at the first plenary session on vision and investors’ response to digitalization. “It is critical that Turkey not only continues to play to its strengths, but that it also takes its place among the leading economies by implementing digitalization in its economy and its society,” acknowledged Ermut. “In this respect, the goal must be to ensure and enhance the sustainability of our competitive advantages with digitalization, and, beyond this, to create a Turkish digital industry with DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

greater added-value that takes on a larger share of the world’s production value chain. We must remember that this will help Turkey achieve its goal of moving from an emerging market to a global leader.”

During the forum, ISPAT and VEF, in the presence of Turkey’s Ambassador to Austria Mehmet Ferden Çarıkçı, signed an agreement to establish long-term cooperative ties and expand cooperation

possibilities. Under the terms of the agreement, ISPAT – as an active member of the VEF board – will contribute to the realization of VEF’s goals by assuming a directive role and promoting its activities. The second phase of the Austria visit consisted of two separate meetings. At one, Austrian companies were updated on Turkey’s economy during a roundtable at the WKÖAustrian Economic Chambers, which represents over 450,000 corporations. The other meeting saw ISPAT President Ermut showcase Turkey’s myriad investment opportunities to Austrian fund managers in Vienna.

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Ispat Attends 14th Vienna Economic Forum, Holds Investor Meetings

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The Turkish Perspective

NEW PERSPECTIVES ON THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY E

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ngineers and industry executives from around the globe gathered in Istanbul at the 2nd International Automotive Engineering Conference (IAEC) to discuss the future of the automotive industry. The event was organized by Turkey’s Automotive Manufacturers Association (OSD), Automotive Technology Platform (OTEP), and Association of Automotive Parts and Components Manufacturers (TAYSAD), with the support of the Automotive Industry Exporters’ Association (OIB), and in cooperation with the US-based International Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE). ISPAT was also a sponsor at the conference, which convened this year with a primary focus on the latest developments in autonomous vehicles, electro-mobility, connected vehicles, smart cities, and automotive engineering education. This conference featured two panels on industry-university cooperation in design, as well as on industry expectations from engineering education in Turkey. Several major international experts also presented their latest thoughts on the future of mobility.

LEADING FINANCE PROFESSIONALS SHED LIGHT ON CAPITAL MARKETS T

he Turkish Capital Markets Summit recently took place in Istanbul. Organized by the Turkish Capital Markets Association, the meetings were meant to shed light on some of the current challenges in the capital markets while also highlighting opportunities being brought about through new financial technologies. The summit was well attended by distinguished representatives from regulatory bodies, capital markets professionals, investors, and realsector representatives. The summit was organized around three primary objectives: discussion of hot topics on capital markets’ agenda with the active participation of all stakeholders in a bid to release an executive report, boosting interest in the capital markets, and further reinforcing Istanbul’s perception as a regional finance center. The 24 separate panels dealt with topics such as industry 4.0, technology, digital money, IPO, blockchain, fintech, and financing of infrastructure investments. Deputy Prime Minister Mehmet Şimşek and

Prof. James A. Robinson, the co-author of the bestseller Why Nations Fail: The Origins of Power, Prosperity, and Poverty, were also among the keynote speakers at the summit. Meanwhile ISPAT, as one of the supporters of the summit, contributed to the Funding for Growth: FDI panel with a presentation by Necmettin Kaymaz on what Turkey has in store for international investors.

Cover /Risk Proof Industry

O R P K S RI

T S U D IN DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

The Turkish Perspective

F O RO RY

T S

By MUSTAFA YİĞİT

Companies such as Renault, Ford and Fiat continued those successful investments until the present time. During the 1990’s, as other international manufacturers like Toyota, Honda, Hyundai, Isuzu and Mercedes-Benz entered the market, Turkey rapidly became an automotive production base which not only caters to one-time developments of the industry but rather holds long-term development options.

Cover /Risk Proof Industry

SAKARYA TOYOTA OTOKAR

ISTANBUL MERCEDES BENZ

uring a period of rapid industrialization and progress, this key sector transformed itself from assembly-based partnerships to a full-fledged industry with design capability and massive production capacity. Between 2000 and 2016, original equipment manufacturers (OEM) invested more than USD 14 billion in their operations in Turkey. These investments significantly expanded their manufacturing capabilities, which in turn led Turkey to become an important part of the global value chain of international OEMs. Meeting and exceeding international quality and safety standards, today’s Turkish automotive industry is highly efficient and competitive thanks to value-added production. Today, Turkey has a thriving automotive sector, demonstrating substantial growth in the past. All players involved, including local authorities and the government, are participating in creating conditions to increase output in the future. Automotive industry is the top sector of Turkey’s export with its volume of more than 20 billion USD. With this size, the automotive sector employs 50.000 people while the supply industry employs 200.000 people. These figures reach to 1 million 250 thousand people when dealerships, logistics, authorized and private services are included. The automotive industry achieved serious increases both in production and export by reaching out 1 million

BURSA TOFAŞ-FİAT OYAK RENAULT KARSAN

ANKARA MAN

KOCAELİ FORD-OTOSAN HYUNDAİ ASSAN HONDA ANADOLU ISUZU

The 15th biggest automotive producer in the world 24500

China

12450

usa

90000

Japan germany S. Korea INdıa MExico Spaın Brazil canada france thailand uk russıa TURKEY

6000 4000 3600 3000 2800 2500 2500 2300 2250 2100 2000 2000

THOUSaNd UNITS

750 thousand units of production capacity through the investments made in 2014 and 2015. The new investments, as well as the recovery of European market, supported the automotive industry’s determined growth. In 2017 a new record was set, which was 1 million 359 thousand units in production and 992 thousand units in export. This serious growth trend of Turkish automotive sector made Turkey 15th among the world’s

In terms of both production and sales, Turkey is one of the important players in the European automotive industry.

Timeline of Turkish Automobile Industry Otosan factory was established in Istanbul to produce the models of the Ford Motor Company under licence in Turkey.

1959 DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

Devrim Sedan was manufactured at the Tülomsaş factory in Eskişehir. It was the first indigenously designed and produced Turkish automobile.

1961

Otokar started to produce automobile parts in Turkey.

1963

Austin and Morris vehicles of the British Motor Corporation began to be produced under licence at the BMC factory in İzmir.

1964

The Turkish Perspective

KARA MAN

OSAN ASSAN ISUZU

Turkey is not only an exceptional manufacturing center; the Turkish automotive industry has also significantly improved its skills in R&D, design and branding.

global supplıers of the ındustry ın turkey

ADANA TEMSA

biggest and 5th among the Europe’s biggest automotive manufacturer. Turkey in the meantime became a center of excellence. As of 2016 Turkey, who was the top light vehicle manufacturer of Europe, was the second in truck manufacturing and the 7th in automotive production.

international OEMs. The Turkish automotive industry meets, if not exceeds, international quality and safety standards. Moreover, due to its value added production approach, it is extremely efficient and competitive. The significant growth the Turkish automotive sector has made Turkey the 15th largest automobile producing countries in the world, and 5th largest in Europe. Turkey has become a center of excellence, particularly in the area of commercial motor vehicle production. At the end of 2015, Turkey was Europe’s number one light commercial vehicle producer, coming in 2nd and 7th place in truck and automobile manufacturing, respectively. Turkey is not only an exceptional manufacturing center; the Turkish automotive industry has also significantly improved its skills

The Leading Force in the Region When we look at car exports to Europe, we see that Turkey leads Korea and Japan by a far margin. Last year, Turkey exported 700,000 cars to Europe, while Japan exported only 290,000. Similarly, Turkey is the number one importer of cars from the EU. In terms of both production and sales, Turkey is one of the important players in the European automotive industry. OEMs in Turkey invested more than USD12 billion in operations in Turkey between 2000-2012. These investments made Turkey a key player in the global value chain of

Anadol became the first massproduced Turkish automobile brand. All Anadol models were produced by the Otosan factory in Istanbul.

1966

Man has opened its first factory outside of Germany in Turkey.

1966

Mercedes started to operate in Turkey.

1967

in R&D, design and branding. At the end of 2015, it had 75 certified R&D centers belonging to its manufacturers and suppliers. Perhaps most importantly, compared to rival countries, Turkey has the most developed supply chain potential. There are roughly 1,000 suppliers making parts for OEMs in the country. Most of these are mid-sized, family companies that are export oriented and open to growth and development. Turkish suppliers make up a financially strong network that is experienced in international collaboration, and flexible in terms of meeting the requirement of different quality systems. The supply industry exports to 180 countries annually, with the value of those exports reaching nearly USD185 billion.

Tofaş factory was opened in Bursa for producing Fiat models under licence.

1968

Cover /Risk Proof Industry

A Stabilizing factor of

Turkish Economy DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

The Turkish Perspective

The report analyzed Turkish automotive industry performance in the first half of 2017. The survey revealed that exports increased by 28.5 percent compared to the same period of last year as sales hit 714,000 automobiles. Meanwhile, the total export value also increased by 22.1 percent, hitting $14.5 billion.

Cover /Risk Proof Industry

Özkan Yıldırım

Deloitte Turkey’s Consumption and Industrial Products Industry Leader

“The shrinkage trend in the market will continue in the second half of 2017, adding that the total Turkish automotive market has shrunk by 8.96 percent in the first half of the year compared to the same period of the previous year. The size of the shrinkage will be determined by exchange and interest rates. While there is a possibility that exchange rates that are beginning to move on a limited band may be positively perceived by the consumers, there will be the impact of new models being introduced to the market and consumers moving towards lowerend entry packages on companies’ market shares. ”

he report analyzed Turkish automotive industry performance in the first half of 2017. The survey revealed that exports increased by 28.5 percent compared to the same period of last year as sales hit 714,000 automobiles. Meanwhile, the total export value also increased by 22.1 percent, hitting $14.5 billion. It estimated that export income from the automotive sector this year would be around $26.5 billion. On the other hand, automobile sales in the Turkish automotive market in the first six months of 2017 decreased by 9.6 percent compared to the same period of 2016, declining to 306,000 automobiles. The sales of light commercial vehicles dropped by 5 percent in the first half of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016, falling to 95,000 vehicles. As far as the heavy commercial vehicle market goes, sales in the first six months of the year tumbled by 22.4 percent compared to the same period of last year, reaching 9,500 vehicles. The Deloitte survey did not ignore the impact of the short-term economic recession on the automotive sector and highlighted that rapid transition and dynamism in the automotive sector will dominate the future over the long run. It is not too far to switch to vehicles such as autonomous, electric, internet-connected and shared ones that will shape the future of the sector. The initiatives

automobile sales in the Turkish automotive market in the first six months of 2017 decreased by 9.6 percent compared to the same period of 2016, declining to 306,000 automobiles.

by technology companies and the investments of big automobile giants will be an indicator of a rapid change in the automotive world. Deloitte indicated that the future of mobility is sliding toward a unique point with a brand-new ecosystem model and different forms of work. The previous mobility shift began in the 1890s when motor vehicles appeared on the roads. The sector is quickly approaching a similar fracture point by entering an era in which the time and money spent in city traffic is being optimized by consumers in various ways thanks to autonomous vehicles and smart phones and in which automotive giants are beginning to see themselves as mobility service providers. Deloitte is evaluating the future of the automotive industry

Timeline of Turkish Automobile Industry Oyak-Renault factory was established in Bursa for producing Renault models.

1969 DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

BMC brand fully acquired by Turkey’s Çukurova Group.

1989

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey was established in the Asian side of Turkey. It is located in Arifiye, Sakarya, Turkey.

1994

Honda opened a factory in Gebze Şekerpınar.

1997

The Turkish Perspective

in a four-stage scenario analysis that will coexist at the same time, starting from today. According to the Deloitte analysis, the evolution of the world of mobility toward the world of “shared autonomous vehicles” is considered to be a change that will take place earlier than expected and even a near-future change. A fast transformation and dynamism in the automotive industry may be on the cards in the future, considering that vehicle sales will decline by nearly 40 percent and oil consumption will decrease by nearly 30 percent in developed countries by 2040 and only 25 percent of vehicles to be sold will be in the traditional form as we understand today.

Key Factors of Turkish Automotive Industry Leveraging a competitive and highly-skilled workforce combined with a dynamic local market and favorable geographical location, the vehicle production of 13 global OEMs in Turkey increased

Hyundai has made its first intercontinental production in İzmit, Turkey.

1997

1600

1486

1400

1350

1200 1040 1000 800

682

600

472

400

359

345 134

200

0 turkey CZECHIA

slovakıa

poland hungary romanıa

769

Thousand Total number of automobiles exported in first 10 months

Turkey was exporting 518,000 vehicles a year, mostly to the European Union member states.

2004

automotıve productıon ın 2016

THOUSaNd UNITS

serbıa

from 374,000 in 2002 to over 1.5 million units in 2016. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 10 percent during that period. Significant growth posted by Turkey’s automotive sector led to Turkey becoming the 14th largest automotive manufacturer in the world and 5th largest in Europe by the end of 2016. Turkey has already become a center of excellence, particularly with respect to the production of commercial vehicles. By the end of 2016, Turkey was the number one producer of light commercial vehicles (LCV) in Europe. Proven as a production hub of excellence, the Turkish automotive industry is now aiming at improving its R&D, design, and branding capabilities. As of the end of 2016, 84 R&D centers belonging to automotive manufacturers/suppliers were operational in Turkey. Notable examples of global brands with product development, design, and engineering activities

European Investment Bank loaned Tofaş €175 million to jointly develop and produce with PSA Peugeot Citroën and Fiat Auto small commercial vehicles for the European market.

2006

morocco slovenıa

The first official introduction of Etox Zafer took place.

2007

Cover /Risk Proof Industry

in Turkey include Ford, Fiat, Daimler, AVL, and Segula. Ford Otosan’s R&D center is one of Ford’s three largest global R&D centers, while Fiat’s R&D center in Bursa is the Italian company’s only center serving the European market outside its home country. Meanwhile, Daimler’s R&D center in Istanbul complements the German company’s truck and bus manufacturing operations in Turkey. AVL Turkey, which opened up its 2nd R&D center in Turkey, started to develop autonomous and hybrid vehicle technologies. Turkey offers a supportive environment on the supply chain side. There are around 1,100 component suppliers supporting the production of OEMs. With the parts going directly to the production lines of vehicle manufacturers, the localization rate of OEMs varies between 50 and 70 percent. Turkey is home to many global suppliers. There are more than 250 global suppliers that use Turkey as a production base, with 28 of them ranking among the 50 largest global suppliers. Auto manufacturers increasingly choose Turkey as a production base for their export sales. This is evidenced by the fact that around 77 percent of production in Turkey was destined for foreign markets in 2016. More than 1,100,000 vehicles were exported from Turkey to foreign markets in the same year. In addition, Turkey was the number one vehicle

Increase in automobile production in October compared to last year

1.4

Million Vehicles produced in first 10 months of 2017

exporter to European markets with 645,000 units in 2016. While Germany, France, Italy, the UK, and Spain are currently the major export customers of the Turkish automotive industry, there is a trend of diversification in export destinations with companies looking to break into nearby emerging countries where there is considerably more demand potential for new auto sales. The rise of per capita income from USD 3,000 in the first few years of the 2000s to around USD 11,000 in 2016 led to higher sales in the motor vehicles market. While the average annual sale figures in the market were around 360,000 in the early 2000s, the average sales increased to 1,000,000 by 2016.

Local to Global Uludağ Automotive Industry Exporters Association (OİB) released the data regarding Turkey’s automotive exports. According to the data, the automotive sector broke its own sector record, soaring to $24.8 billion on Nov. 17, from the previous export record of $24.7 billion in 2008. During an interview with Anadolu Agency (AA), OIB Chairman Sabuncu said the automotive industry’s DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

The Turkish Perspective

exports in the first 10 months of this year stood at $23.4 billion, marking an increase of 21 percent over the same period last year. Stressing that the year-end export figure is very important now, Sabuncu said their export target for 2017 was $27 billion. However, the current course and trend indicates that exports will surpass this targeted figure and will be over $28 billion. Moreover, the leading sector of the economy is moving toward this year’s target of $27 billion in exports with sure steps, the association said on its official website. According to the OIB, automotive exports increased by 19 percent to $2.6 billion in October compared to the same month the previous year. Besides passenger automobiles, there was also a double-digit increase in subsidiary industry exports during October, OIB Chairman Sabuncu said. He also indicated that there was an increase of up to 42 percent in exports to the country’s top markets, such as Germany, France, the U.K. and

Orhan Sabuncu

Uludağ Automotive Industry Exporters Association Chairman

“The sector’s highest export figure was $24.7 billion in 2008 when the global financial crisis broke out. Following the crisis, exports rapidly dropped to $15 billion, however, they rose again to $23.9 billion last year as a result of annual gradual increases. Sabuncu added, “We knew we would break this record this year. We set the targets accordingly and the timing was also very good. The automotive industry had broken the all-time record on Nov. 17, bringing the highest export figure of $24.7 billion to $24.8 billion.”

Increased purchasing power combined with a low automobile ownership rate should help drive automobile sales in the coming years.

Spain, and pointed to an increase of 86 percent for exports to the U.S. It was also reported that the sector reached the second-highest export figure in its history monthly for exports in March, at $2.7 billion. The rise of per capita income from USD 3,000 in the first few years of the 2000s to around USD 11,000 in 2016 led to higher sales in the motor vehicles market. While the average annual sale figures in the market were around 360,000 in the early 2000s, the average sales increased to 1,000,000 by 2016. Despite the strong increase in the sales, the automobile penetration in Turkey -- 165 cars per 1,000 people -- is well behind the European average of 500. This indicates ample opportunities for carmakers in the domestic market. Increased purchasing power combined with a low automobile ownership rate should help drive automobile sales in the coming years.

capacity usage of automotıve manufacturers - 2017 October Production

10 Months Production

Types Capacity

Production

Capacity

Production

153.883

152.856

1.538.830

1.352.588

4.000

2.400

40.000

17.791

Bus

1.083

594

10.830

7.024

Midibus

820

393

8.200

2.772

6.250

5.182

82.500

43.916

166.036

161.485

1.660.360

1.424.091

Light Vehicles Truck

F. Tractor Total

* Light vehicles include pass car, pick-up and minibus.

Cover /Risk Proof Industry

a VÄ±tal hub for

global automob value Cha

DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

tomobÄąle haÄąn

The Turkish Perspective

Turkey has a high level of integration into global automotive industry. According to 2016 datas the country ranks as the 14th major automotive producer in the World with 75% average export rate. Also vehicles with Turkish origin has the leading position among the vehicles coming outside of EU. Turkish automotive industry achieves many processes such as production, export and engineering. The country is a hub of global brands for international markets.

Cover /Risk Proof Industry

utomotive industry is definitely most dynamic industry and leading industries of the world economy. Turkey is a major production location of the world automotive industry due to several factors including competitive structure of the automotive industry, Turkey’s ability to manufacture on a sustainable basis using new technologies, and the most important aspect, cost-effective production. Turkish supply industry is ahead of its competitors in terms of product quality, productivity and sustainability. Turkey’s automotive supply industry is extremely proficient in manufacturing in accordance with international quality standards. They also have qualified and loyal workers. In addition, Turkey’s industry has the technologic infrastructure and researchdevelopment skills enough to not only produce standart products but also products with higher added value. In the last few years, it is a source of pride to know that many brands have been recalling some of their models due to some technical problems but not a single recalled model was produced in Turkey. Automotive industry is definitely one of the most dynamic and leading industries of the world economy. Both the OEM’s and the supplier industry received “Best Factory” awards along with European Quality Awards, and became a source of pride for the country. Turkish automotive suppliers supply diversified original parts for many major companies including Ford, Fiat, Mercedes, BMW, Jaguar and Audi, both in domestic and in overseas markets. In order to increase their export volume, they constantly keep in touch with our overseas partners as well as visiting the headquarters of many brands to form with new partnerships. Turkish suppliers initiated contacts with many brands from China an automotive giant and increased their communication with official institutions, which eventually lead to signing of a “Memorandum of Understanding” for mutual cooperation. Increasing global competition makes it necessary for suppliers to follow new trends and technologic improvements in the automotive industry. Trade fairs are of vital importance, especially considering many new improvements are exhibited there and they enable on-site review of new technologies. Turkey offers a supportive environment on the supply chain side. There are around 1,100 component suppliers supporting the production of OEMs. With the parts going directly to the

DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

Ranking of First Three Countries In EU’s Vehicle Import

843

Thousand Number of Vehicles Turkey Exported to EU last year

480

Thousand Number of Vehicles Japan Exported to EU last year

376

Thousand Number of Vehicles South Korea Exported to EU last year

production lines of vehicle manufacturers, the localization rate of OEMs varies between 50 and 70 percent. Besides the local suppliers there are more than 250 global suppliers using Turkey as a production base. 28 of them are among the largest 50 global suppliers. 400+ Tier 1 suppliers working directly with OEMs contribute much on the high localization rates of the cars manufactured in the country. Proven as a production hub of excellence, the Turkish automotive industry is now aiming at improving its R&D, design, and branding capabilities. As of the end of 2016, 84 R&D centers belonging to automotive manufacturers/ suppliers were operational in Turkey.

Foreign-owned companies are increasing investments in Turkey Not only OEMs, but also international Tier 1 suppliers are demonstrating their confidence in Turkey through investments. Turkish Association of Automotive Parts and Components Association (TAYSAD) Chairman Alper Kanca assessed the situation, saying “Foreign company investments in Turkey make

The Turkish Perspective

Alper Kanca

Turkish Association of Automotive Parts and Components Association TAYSAD Chairman

“Our common belief as the TAYSAD administration, is that there will be an increase in total vehicle production in the world. This is because there is need and this need will be reflected in production. The essential question is this: What model will be manufactured and in which counties will this manufacturing be done? Developments indicate that Turkish supply industrialists, which lead with their quality and economy, will have a greater say.” up hopeful about the future. To give an example, the German automotive supply industry company ElringKlinger will invest in a plant in Bursa. Freudenberg decided to establish a Turkey and Middle East regional distribution platform in Bursa. The first shock absorber manufacturer in Turkey, Maysan Mando, is planning to invest a total of $130 million by 2019 to expand the range of products it makes in Turkey. Taking all of these into consideration, we see that the states of the world have confidence in the investment

environment in Turkey. This makes us very proud as Turkey.” Alper Kanca said that “As Turkish automotive supply industrialists, our investments have begun to bear fruit. They are continually growing and we plan new investments with our partners. Foreign investors and all of our stakeholders abroad are able to transform Turkey’s potential, speed and ability to do business into opportunity. As Turkish automotive industrialists we continue to invest in Europe and want to strengthen economic integration with European countries. In order to mutually increase the confidence built with European countries, we expect positive support and cooperation from our EU partners. This situation will bring mutual economic, political and social benefits to both sides.”

Automotive industry is definitely one of the most dynamic and leading industries of the world economy.

share of automotıve ın r&d spendıngs (selected countrıes)

%35

r&d centers (2016)

%32 %30

%25

%24

490

%24

%20

%15

%14

Automotive

%12

Others

%12 %10

%10

%10 %9

%7 %6

0 germany japan

romanıa

czechia

turkey

ıtaly

s. korea

mexico

hungary england poland

china

spain

france

usa

In Depth / Finland

FINLA

THE COUNTRY OF NORTHERN LIGHTS, MO

Finland is a Nordic country with strong political and cultural ties with the other Nordic countries. Finland is a European democracy, a member of the European Union and an active member of the United Nations. Finland is also one of the vocal and strong supporters of Turkey’s European Union membership. By ramazan güzyurdu

DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

The Turkish Perspective

LAND

TS, MOTHERLAND OF THE SUOMI PEOPLE

In Depth / Finland

efore getting closer to Finland’s economic attributions and their foreign relations with Turkey, one should see the background of these foreign relations to appreciate nowadays economic relations between Finland and Turkey better. Finland is a country that’s located on the region what it calls “Scandinavia”. In terms of area, Finland is among the largest countries in Europe. With its 5.5 million people, however, it is the most sparsely populated country in the European Union. Its population is concentrated in the southern parts of the country and in a few cities. In the wilderness in northern Finland, you can wander for days without seeing anyone, if you so wish. The cities, however, are modern and continental. From top to bottom, Finland is more than 1,000 kilometers long. It is a multifaceted country: in early summer, when people are enjoying a swim in the sea in the south, you can still go skiing in the north. In the west, you can feel the nearness of the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The Gulf Stream makes the climate in Finland more temperate than the northern location might suggest — different from that of Canada and Russia, which are located along the same latitude. Nearly a third of all people living north of the 60th parallel are Finns. In eastern Finland, the climate is continental in many respects as a result of the Eurasian landmass. The northern location also affects the amount of light. In summer, the sun stays above the horizon for around two months in the northernmost parts of the country. In winter, the sun stays below the horizon for an equal period of time around Christmas. During this time, the winter scenery reflects a magical blue light for a few hours a day.

Diplomatic Relations with Turkey Due to the proximity to northern pole, it wouldn’t be wrong to suggest that Finland is relatively colder country than Turkey. Finland has land borders with DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

FINLAND Population

5.4

million

Life expectancy

Languages

88,9

Finnish

5,3 Swedish

GDP per capita

37,559 Data: Statistics Finland

euros (2014)

Russia, Sweden and Norway. Finland once was a part of a Swedish Kingdom in19th century. Bus this condition changed in 1917. On the 6th December of the 1917, Finland declared its independency to the world. This event had triggering properties for the Turkey’s foreign relations with the Finland, as the Ottoman Empire was the one of the first government to recognize the Finland’s independency. In 1924, diplomatic relations between Turkey and Fınland were established in 1924 after the Treaty of Friendship were signed mutually by both countries. Turkey and Finland made their relationship stronger than ever by further enhancing their bilateral agreements and subsequent visits by the councils from both countries. Also, Finland is a supporter of the Turkey’s membership of EU, which is seen a good manner by Turkish foreign authorities.

The Turkish Perspective

H.E. Sauli Niinistö, President of the Republic of Finland, paid an official visit to Turkey between 13 and 15 October 2015. H.E. Olli Rehn, Minister of Economic Affairs of Finland and a group of businesspeople accompanied President Niinistö during this visit and Turkey-Finland Business Forum was held by Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) in Istanbul on 14 October 2015. H.E. Timo Soini, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Finland, visited Turkey on 11 January 2017 to attend the 9th Annual Turkish Ambassadors Conference. In 2012, Finland’s Ex-PM Jyrki Katainen and Finland’s Ex-Foreign Trade Minister Alexander Stubb paid a visit to Turkey. The committee was welcomed by the Ex-PM Erdoğan. The reason behind the visit the set a promo day for Finland’s private sector companies to invest in Turkey. Total 40 companies from Finland, including the world-famous telecommunication corporation Nokia-Siemens and biotechnology producer Perkin Elmer attended the promo day. In 2013, Finland’s PM hosted the ExPM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Helsinki. In this visit, Entertainment Ltd. where Ex-PM R.Tayyip Erdoğan received information about educational program of the company which will be used in Turkey. Mr. Jari Koskinen, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry of Finland and FinProvisited Turkey Build Fair in Istanbul on 15.7.2014. Ms. Lenita

Turkey and Finland made their relationship stronger than ever by further enhancing their bilateral agreements and subsequent visits by the councils from both countries.

In Depth / Finland

Toivakka, Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade of Finland, visited Turkey (Ankara) with Team Finland Business Delegation on February 3-5, 2015. The focus of the visit was on Cleantech: Energy, Renewable Energy and Waste to Energy.

In Finland, nature’s most spectacular light show, the Aurora Borealis, can be viewed in a range of purpose-built spaces from glass igloos to luxury suites.

Export to Finland

In 2016, our overall volume of trade reached 1.234 billion US Dollars (exports, 292 million USD; imports, 942 billion USD). Turkey’s main items of exports to Finland consist of automotive, station wagons, parts for land vehicles, polished or glazed tile floor and paving stones, while its main import items from Finland include single/double surface layer kaolinite, paper plastered with inorganic matter, stainless steel flat material products, propylene and polymers of other olefins. At present, there are around 80 Finnish companies operating in Turkey in various fields and about 200 Finnish firms being represented in Turkey. On the other hand, there are 20 Turkish companies active in Finland in areas such as mining, bicycles and fitness equipment, electronic products, textile and furniture. In addition to this, nearly 400 small and medium size Turkish enterprises have commercial activities in Finland especially in the service sector. In the period of 2002-2016, total amount of direct investments from Finland to Turkey was 365 million USD. Foreign direct investments from Turkey to Finland amounted to 12 million USD in the same period.

In the period of 2002-2016, total amount of direct investments from Finland to Turkey was 365 million USD.

FINLAND IN FIGURES Imports, exports 2016 IMPORT

Finnish Companies In Turkey

100 established Finnish SME and large-size companies in addition to 200 represented Finnish companies in Turkey. Wide range of companies from real-estate business to raw material producers, machinery to construction. Finnish companies are currently exporting energy related items, nuclear security and facility related goods and educational services. Turkey is also a favorite travel destination for the Finnish people. Every year, more than 240,000 Finnish people visited the Turkey, mostly during the summer period. Thanks to the Turkish DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

EXPORT

55.003 51.878 € million

€ million

Trade balance 2016

-3.125

€ million

Main exports

Electrotechnical goods, metal products, machinery, transport equipment, wood and paper products, chemicals Data: Finnish Customs

Main imports

Raw materials, investment goods, energy, consumer goods (for example cars and textiles)

Airlines’additional flights to İzmir, Alanya and Antalya, Finnish tourists enjoy from the sun of the Mediterranean Sea. Besides from this, around 4000 and 5000 Finnish people placed in the Turkey permanently. As it can see clearly from above, authorities from both Turkey and Finland, visit each other frequently during the last decade, especially. Finland is started the climbing the steps of the ladder of what it has called “globalization”. Finland seeks foreign investors to come Turkey, while Turkey wants to see the equivalent effort from the Finish countries. Finland has a government supported representative office called “FinPro” in Turkey. Main object of this office to introduce the Finnish economic market and possible opportunities to Turkish SMEs. Both countries trying hard to become closer. Although there are few dark spots between the relations, thanks to the frequent consecutive visit from Turkish and Finnish authorities and bilateral agreements, these dark spots will be enlightened by the investors’ year and year. For example, most of the Finnish people probably don’t know the fact that Turkey is producing more cars than Italy. Also, possible Turkish investors may not know the fact that Finnish companies have vast experience in IP fields. A combination of Turkish enterprising and Finnish patents may result in very successful trading profit that the two countries enjoy that at the same time.

The Turkish Perspective

Suomi Finland 100 in Design Week Turkey

The last interaction between Turkish and Finnish economic authorities took place in under the Design Week Turkey in Lütfi Kırdar Convention Center. The second day was mainly focused on the opportunities in Finland. Chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly, Mehmet Büyükekşi stated that the financial scale between Turkey and the Finland is around 1.5 billion $ and he also expressed that this value didn’t changed much in the last 10 years. Chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly, Mehmet Büyükekşi also said that the Finland owes its success to “National Innovation System”. In this matter, TİM mainly focuses on the term “Innovation”, as this term also one of the parameters that TİM s selected as a guide for their assembly. Chairman of the Turkish Exporters Assembly, Mehmet Büyükekşi said that they were making contributions the branding and melting the design and innovation in the same pot and they were closely observing the developments about these matters. In the third day of the Design Week, Finnish guests were performed fields trip to the leading companies of the particular companies, such as Arçelik and Şişecam to exchange their experience and knowledge. Thee cooperation between Turkish and Finnish counterparts will likely to continue. Finland’s Turkey Ambassador Paivi Kairamo also expressed that they are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the independency of the Finland in the Design Week and they are glad about that. Kairamo also reported that the Finland is always

Trade between turkey and fınland dUrıng 2007-2014 1.5

1000

800 1.0 600

400 0.5 200

EXPORT M€ IMPORT M€ SHARE OF TOTAL EXPORT %

Data: Finnish National Board of Customs (TULLI)

A combination of Turkish enterprising and Finnish patents may result in very successful trading profit that the two countries enjoy that at the same time.

seeking new partners and always looking new solutions for the problem encountered in the industrial areas. Kairamo said the rich convention of the Turkish design in all aspect would bring benefits to the Finland internal market. Finland is also has many know-how companies and by investing to these companies, Turkish companies possibly can enter the Finnish market and gradually start to earn income within relatively a short time. Also, Turkish companies may gain new technologies that are poorly known in the Turkish industrial site. By learning new technologies, such as from telecommunication and medical devices, those Turkish companies cooperating with the Finnish companies may bring the newly learned techniques to Turkish technical field and may able to introduce these novel aspects to the Turkish internal market. This cooperation is process that the both countries would mutually benefit from. Low corruption rates in the Finland and high purchasing power of the Finnish people prepare suitable environment for the Turkish companies that eager to invest in Finland.

Exporter of the Culture

Especially, Turkish companies that operate in Finland may invest in the fields that the Finnish people needs most: the vehicle market and the textile products. With this regard, Finland is aiming to combine the Turkish industrial knowledge with their novel design. In fact, Finland is top exporter of the design, in a way; Finland is an exporter of the culture. Finnish designs are very influential in means of their ingredients. Finnish people using various different materials to materialize their concept and converting their ideas to concrete, creative designs. These are reasons why the ICSID has selected the Helsinki as 2012’s World Design Capital. In the Design Week Turkey, Finland found a chance to demonstrate their abilities to the Turkish companies. Clearly, Finland is becoming an important partner for the Turkey in means of research and development. Also, Finland may be a major hub for the Turkish companies operating nearby countries of the Finland, such as Russia and Sweden. With Finland’s knowledge and capability of the designing industrial articles and devices, Turkish companies can expand their physical inventory to the great extent.

#discoverthepotential

Brands / Lorem

The Turkish Perspective

Content: Beyoğlu Gazozu:Taste From The Past P57 Time For Szn Wood P59 Innovative ond Contemporary Design P61 Editor: Ramazan Güzyurdu

drınk, wood, Architects...

Beyoğlu Gazozu offers a privileged and quality service to its customers with four different nostalgic tastes.

drınk

Beyoğlu Gazozu: Taste From The Past

The “Beyoğlu Gazozu” bottle, designed with a collaboration between Gürallar Cam Ambalaj and Beyoğlu Gazozu, has received the Red Dot Award, considered one of the most prestigious design awards in the world. By ilhan alpay ogan

eyoğlu Gazozu, which was awarded in the Packaging Design category in Red Dot: Communication Design 2017, was designed with inspiration from Galata Tower, one of the historical landmarks of the Beyoğlu district of Istanbul. Gürallar Cam Ambalaj and Beyoğlu Gazozu İçecek A.Ş., which turned the 14th-century tower into an iconic design, brought the award back to Turkey.

The Red-Dot Awards: Communication Design, deemed one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious awards, have been awarded for 2017. In the contest, organized every year in 34 categories to determine and evaluate new designs which hit the markets, 8,000 new designs from 50 countries were inspected in detail this year. The Beyoğlu Gazozu bottle, which was among the projects

evaluated by a committee of independent and international experts, received the 2017 Red Dot Award. The Beyoğlu Gazozu glass bottle, designed by Gürallar Cam Ambalaj and Beyoğlu Gazozu, is an homage to Beyoğlu, a center of attraction full of historical texture and cultural richness. The project, being developed from an idea of Beyoğlu Gazozu founder Kerim Sakızlı, that the bottle design that would

identify with Beyoğlu brand, should symbolize Galata Tower, was improved by Neil Kaan Hirst with the most suitable design for glass packaging production before coming into life in glass. The nostalgic atmosphere of Istanbul was successfully spread worldwide by Beyoğlu Gazozu İçecek A.Ş. with its nostalgic golden cap and Taksim Tramway labeling, symbolizing homage and respect for the past.

Brands / Beyoğlu Gazozu

Appraisal from past to future: Beyoğlu Gazozu Beyoğlu Gazozu offers a privileged and quality service to its customers with four different nostalgic tastes including classical, lemon, orange and ginger using 100% liquid natural beet sugar, without giving up from the old-fashioned soda concept. Beyoğlu Gazozu aims to convey this nostalgic drink with its taste and corporate identity to the younger generation with its values and to announce the name of Turkey in the beverage sector to the world. Beyoğlu Gazozu is expanding its national distribution network all day long in Turkey. Beyoğlu Gazozu, established with 100% Turkish capital, contributes to the promotion of both Turkey and Istanbul by exporting to many countries in the world. The Beyoğlu Gazozu glass bottle received an award in the Packaging Design category of the Red Dot Award: Communication Design 2017, which is considered one of the most important awards designers can be granted. It was inspired by Beyoğlu, where the history of Turkish soda began, and Galata Tower, which still stands as a monument to the past. With this glass bottle design, Gürallar Cam Ambalaj and Beyoğlu Gazozu aim to inspire nostalgia for Galata and Beyoğlu among young consumers with a taste from the past. Gürallar Cam Ambalaj and Beyoğlu Gazozu, bringing together the history, narratives and architectural DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

texture of Beyoğlu with this goal, carry the traces of the past to the future with their design. Unity And The Excellent Quality Of Production The founder of Beyoğlu Gazozu Kerim Saklı, ‘’Brand identity of the work of corporate identity has been meticulously done. We especially paid attention to all the nostalgic values of packaging design. “If you look at the history of drinking soda, the first soda factory in the late 19th century in our country was started to be manufactured in Beyoğlu. This beverage has become increasingly popular with the opening of liquor stores and has grown into a favourite drink by spreading to Anatolia and all over the country with the increase of producer brands. We also designed our corporate identity in such a way that it will deliver all these values and convey it to future generations. Today, under our leadership that makes us proud, we have the naive history of this beautiful drink and our salesmen, our salesmen who support our advocate and our valued customers who prefer us. We wanted to present our Beyoğlu Gazozu in a glass bottle shaped like a Galata Tower, one of the most elegant and oldest structures still living today, which is the symbol of Beyoğlu. Our customers today call our bottles “bottles that we can not throw it” and use our bottles as decoration objects. In order to present our

Beyoğlu Gazozu aims to convey this nostalgic drink with its taste and corporate identity to the younger generation.

customers different things, our cooperation with the experts Gürallar Cam Ambalaj was the most important part of the process. Because of this unity and the excellent quality of production they have achieved, we have won an award that makes us very proud today,” he said. The cap and the label also recall the past One of the oldest buildings of Beyoğlu, which was known as a paradise for soda shops during the 1890s, is Galata Tower, which was constructed in the 14th century. Beyoğlu Gazozu was brought to life with the idea of offering modern consumers a nostalgic taste of Beyoğlu and Galata. In addition to the bottle designed by Gürallar Cam Ambalaj taking into consideration functionality, the golden cap and the nostalgic tramway printed label also draw attention to the historical heritage of the district.

The Turkish Perspective

wood

and Haydar siblings resorted to going specializing in their fields by sharing the business operations,. At the present time, Sözenler continues their business operations in the fields of wood production, construction and tourism. Sözenler has recently resorted to going retail and e-commerce by carrying out their activities in domestic market through dealers. Upon deciding to organize their own team to be able to satisfy the demands of the customers by opening their own stores, Sözenler opened stores in Trabzon and Istanbul. In the past years, exporting lumber to Iraq, Syria and Cyprus; and solid hardwood to the USA as Sözenler, reveals a serious potential in SZN products recently. SZN, which sends products to the Netherlands, the UK and Germany through its dealers, and which has entered into a franchise agreement on Aged Wood with Azerbaijan, also started meetings to open a store in Georgia.

TIME FOR SZN WOOD

Sözenler continues their business operations in the fields of wood production, construction, tourism and they has recently resorted to going retail and e-commerce by carrying out their activities in domestic market through dealers.

By ramazan güzyurdu

özenler was established

in Trabzon in 1953 by Hacı Osman Sözen. Hacı Osman Sözen was a good carpenter. He started doing carpenter works by using hand tools in Trabzon. Constructing the building, which is now the center of the company, by his own hands, he established his first atelier. He carried out the Lumbering, Carpentry and Construction Business all together. Honesty, Hard-working, Modesty and Innovation were always his missions and today Sözenler proceeds with these missions. Hacı Osman Sözen transferred the company management in 80s to his son, Muhammet, due to a disorder in his eyes. Adding different dimensions

Acting as the pioneer in many areas both in the region and in our country, SZN will continue leading the way in the upcoming years.

to the company, the 3 siblings started leading the way in many innovations both in the region and in the country. They established the first integrated forest products factory of the region on an area of 12.000 m2. Bringing added-value to the raw materials they brought from Russia, they started selling it to domestic and foreign markets. Following the fluctuations in foreign currency in the early 2000s, they embarked on new quests, working mostly in the domestic market. In the meantime, the 3rd generation slowly started to take an active role in the company. And in those years, step was taken into the informatics and construction sectors. In 2008, Dursun, Muhammet

Natural Wood Reinterpreted With SZN… Domestic market is irreplaceable for SZN. Innovations receive reactions that it becomes encouraging for the new one. There is a developing trend for each sector in the world in certain periods. And recently, the trend in all sectors involving furniture and wood is NATURAL WOOD. The perception of going back to the natural items, which has been on the agenda for the last 10-15 years, is at the heart of the society under the name of organic concept. SZN, which started an advertising campaign 6-7 years ago with the motto of “You can eat this table”, has undertaken all these developments, the organics in the furniture.

Brands / SZN Wood

“Our biggest advantage in the market is having a really young, dynamic and searcher team” says Agah Emre Sözen, the General Manager of SZN, and he also adds: “From craftsman to manager, everybody has to produce an innovation and share it with us, in addition to their current works. Our communication channels are so strong and we believe in the power of this. We know that the time spent for something we have put an effort on is not useless…” Annual capacity of Sözenler, producing wood urban furniture, natural wood home furniture and aged wood in the factory located in Trabzon; 5.000 m3 impregnated material for wood urban furniture, 1.000 sets for solid furniture, 500.000 m2 wood coating for aged wood. However, due to various factors, only 60% of this capacity can be used. Saying that the most important target in export field is taking part in prestigious fairs and organizations in various countries, SZN brand appears at international fairs in Turkey. Upon reaching an

agreement with Azerbaijan, SZN will focus more on foreign fairs in 2018 while maintaining meetings with Iran and the UK. SZN Signature In Aged Wood Technology Acting as the pioneer in many areas both in the region and in our country, SZN will continue leading the way in the upcoming years. “We have a very special work for us which we particularly separate from the others” says Agah Emre Sözen, the General Manager of SZN, and also states that they present a special work saying; “That is bringing the Spruce

SZN brand takes part in prestigious international fairs in Turkey and also various countries.

“Our next goal is to make sure that everyone in the sector realizes the value of spruce tree.”

DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

tree indoor.” The chairman of our Board of Directors, Mr. Muhammet Sözen, pioneered the “Spruce Symposium” where the Forestry Minister, proxies and the leaders of the sector attended, in 2005, in Trabzon province, and asked everyone in the Symposium the following question; “Do we make the best of Spruce?” “Spruce tree, which grows in Turkey, and specially dominating the forests in the Eastern Black Sea Region, is a very important value for our country. Unfortunately, Spruce tree was produced and used only as construction lumber, in other words, a material with the minimum added-value, due to the topography of the region where it grows and our laziness. We are happy that, while Mr. Muhammet Sözen is still alive, we have proved that Spruce tree can be used indoors, increasing its addedvalue at least by five times. In fact, we have made the first foreign connection agreement of this. Today, we produce aged interior walls and ceiling coatings and natural wood furniture made of Spruce tree. Even if the sector does not believe in this, we believed and we achieved. Our only consolation is that wooden material is a renewable resource. We do not feel sorry for the Spruce Trees that were wasted and the carbon cycle of which has been shortened. However, our next goal is to make sure that everyone in the sector realizes the value of Spruce tree. Import business is inevitable in the world. The important point is to export by increasing added-value of one’s own sources, and to import semi-finished goods and raw material with lowvalue-added. Of course, we work with Walnut, Chestnut, Oak, Beech, Tropic trees, too, but the place of Spruce is special for us…” he said.

The Turkish Perspective

Architects

INNOVATIVE AND CONTEMPORARY

The central office building of Role Technique designed by EDDA Architecture in Istanbul responds

both present and future needs of the company with an innovative and contemporary design approach. By alperen çevikaslan

DDA Architecture, which responded the Role Technique, make the foreign brands in the electric and electronic sector meet with different sectors in the country, in his search for a new office in a quality which was compliant to its changing vision and targets, brought quality, elegance and peace together as thinking of the most subtle details in the 2000 meters of centre building of the firm in the region of Serifali, Umraniye. EDDA Architecture, which put signature to the offices, making the life easier by analysing the user expectations correctly, provided a luminous and peaceful working environment to Role Technique by benefiting less from the daylight. EDDA Architecture, which dealt the Role Technique office as a structure, whose rough construction was completed, provided maximum benefiting from the natural light as making revisions on the facade. With this target, while designing the three

facade of the building, a transparent and a spacious atmosphere was provided in the interior spaces which were receiving plentiful light. By the separated walls’ being completely glass. As rearranging the current circulation areas, in the project where the ground entrance axes were taken into the middle, the departments were placed around this entrance axe. While forming an exhibition area where the products of the firm were placed in the welcoming reception area, a green garden was also placed in the middle axe of the gallery planned between the basement and first floor. Panels were formed on the walls of all

About EDDA Architect The EDDA Architecture was established by the Restorator Interior Architect Restorator, Eda Tahmaz , in the year of 2008, is a design studio, working on the product design, architectural and interior architectural projects. EDDA Architecture, which aims to present its creative and inspiring designs to the service of the individual and institutional employers by combining them with high quality applications for over ten years, and to develop co-operations, based on long years, depending on customer satisfaction, feels enthusiastic to fulfil the expectations in every new Project with his team, who are experienced in the subjects of architecture and interior architecture design and application, within the architecture ethics and perfection.

departments with visuals, convenient to the activities and services of the firm. As arranging one storey of the building as the management storey, the company shareholders and senior staff were placed into this storey. In the terrace floor, a café and a restaurant area were formed for the employees to eat their meals, to become distant from the intensity of the business life and stress. In this storey, there was also a recreation area which had an exit to terrace. The Interface Stepforward carpet tile was generally used on the floors of the office. Mermaid coating were predominantly used in the circulation areas.

Agenda

FAIRS, EXHIBITIONS, SUMMITS AND MEETINGS IN THE NEXT MONTH

DECEMBER

07-10

FESPA Eurasia 2017 TÜYAP – İSTANBUL

6-9 December 2017

Turkey Innovation And Entrepreneurship Week Istanbul Congress Center

The first event that comes to mind in the name of innovation is “Turkey Innovation Week”, which contributes greatly to the settlement and development of the concept of innovation in our country and as of 2017, it is meeting you as “Turkey Innovation And Entrepreneurship Week” by including “Born Global” identity into its constitution. With the participation of 200 invited speakers from 31 foreign countries and more than 200 institutions and reaching the number of 60.000 visitors last year, and this year very valuable names of innovation and entrepreneurship world will take part in our event.

FESPA Eurasia is the leading event in the Eurasian region, covering screen and digital wide format, textile printing, garment decoration and signage. The exhibition attracts in excess of 9,500 individual visitors from over 75 countries worldwide. The next edition takes places in Istanbul and will showcase innovations across all technologies and applications. FESPA Eurasia is organised by FESPA, whose heritage as an association for the print industry stretches back over 50 years. Visitors are guaranteed to benefit from a show specifically designed for their sector, by their sector!

DECEMBER HEFI 2017 Istanbul FaIr Center 21-24 DECEMBER

Plast Eurasia 2017 TÜYAP –İSTANBUL 06-09 DECEMBER 2017

12-17

ARTİSTANBUL BlackOut Şişli Exhibition and Event Venue - İSTANBUL Turkey is an important actor of the world in production of home appliances and supplier industry. In order to evaluate the production of this sector and to increase the export HEFI Home Electronics Fair will be annually organized in Istanbul. Turkey being located at an important hub of white goods and supplier industry is a star of the industry. Sector pulse will be beating at HEFI (Home Electronics Fair) in Istanbul. The fair, which will take place on December 21-24, 2017 within Istanbul Fair Center is supported by various associations of the country. DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

Plast Eurasia İstanbul 2016 Fair brought together 957 company and company representatives from 41 countries and 48.725 professional visitors from 84 countries. In addition to success graphic of Plast Eurasia İstanbul Fair, this year as a result of marketing activities implemented by Tüyap and supporter organizations, over 50.000 professionals are expected to visit the fair. Organised annually by Tüyap in cooperation with PAGEV (Turkish Plastics Industry Foundation), Plast Eurasia İstanbul will take place between December 6 - 9, 2017 in Tüyap Fair Convention and Congress Center.

Through this year’s theme “Never Give Up / Asla Vazgeçme”, ArtIstanbul 2017 Contemporary Art Days will welcome art loversagain after a long break at BlackOut Şişli Exhibition and Event Venue between 12-17 December 2017 with its modifications and important innovations. Artİstanbul 2017 Contemporary Art Days, which will be organized with the cooperation of Association of Art Gallery Owners and VIA Fuarcılık, will be held between 12-17 December 2017.

2 3

Figures

47,1%

Export figures of the olive and olive oil sector is increasing successfully in October 2017 compared to the same month of the last year.

BEST OCTOBER IN EXPORT HISTORY The value of Turkish exports in the month is the highest figure of all time for October and the rise of 15.6 percent is the highest increase in the October figure for last 10 years.” Prime Minister Binali Yıldırım

15,6%

INCREASE IN EXPORT IN OCTOBER 2017

" $156.5 BILLION

totaL export target by the end of 2017

The use of the Turkish Lira in the country’s foreign trade volume has reached 15 percent. 12 percent of trade occurs electronically in developed countries.

milyar dır.”

Minister Of Economy Nihat Zeybekci

leadıng sectors of EXPORT IN OCTOBER 2017

Automotive

Apparel

chemicals

$2.63 billion

$1.54 billion

$1.48 billion

17.6%

leadıng regıons of EXPORT IN OCTOBER 2017

I also delivered exporters’ demands to the Prime Minister in addition to the export data, while promising 100,000 exporters by the year 2023.

Russia

USA

62%

31%

" 100.000

Chairman of Turkish Exporters Assembly Mehmet Büyükekşi

EXPORTers BY THE YEAR 2023

64 Figures

GERMANY

1,42

BELGIUM

0,27

NETHERLANDS

0,39

FRANCE

0,62

0,85 USA

0,76

EXPORTS TO tOP 20 COuNTRIES BY TURKEY ın OCTOBER (BILLION $) Turkish exports to most prominent 20 markets in October 2017.

SPAIN

0,58

poland

0,29

ROMANIA

0,34

RUSsıa

0,29

ITALY

0,74 BULGARIA

0,25

china

0,29

IRAN

ıraq

0,65 Algerıa

0,13

Data: TİM

DECEMBER 2017 ISSUE 53

saudı arabıa

0,21

ISRAEL

0,32

0,29

EGYPT

0,24

UAE

0,21

KURBAN BAYRAMI 20X26cm.indd 1 PHUKET 20x27cm 1 KURBAN BAYRAMIING.indd 20X26cm.indd 1

17.08.2017 15:45 26.07.2017 18:02 17.08.2017 15:45